Don't be Offended

 

                      

About a month ago, my daughter came home from school, clearly upset. “Mom, I’m not going to school tomorrow!”, she said.  “Please don’t even try!”

 

The district Principal had recently resigned and another was speedily hired to fill his place.  Shortly after, an incident between two students had occurred on the school playground.  As a result, the new Principal lectured the entire 4^th grade and put all students on lunch detention the following day.  

“Mr. Dodge would have never done that!” she said.

 

She was over and done with school all together. Simply because of one isolated incident. It was poor judgment call on behalf of the school principal, she argued.  

 

A few days ago, as I was studying Matthew 24, specifically Jesus’ message on the characteristics of the last age, I was dismayed as a very similar situation emerged.   

 

Jesus reveals it will be a time when many will be offended (vs. 10)

 

Many false prophets will arise.  (vs.11)

 

Iniquity will increase therefore the love of many will grow cold.  (vs.12)

 

Thou I was already familiar with the word iniquity, I decided to look it up anyway, as it was clearly the root cause of “many growing cold".  

 

One definition straightaway caught my attention.

 

Iniquity:, complete injustice

 

Now return to the above verse…

 

Due to incorrect judgement, many will get offended and fall away.  

 

Sadly, such is the case.

 

We live in an age where many, as my daughter at school, are all together canceling church, God, and everything connected. Specifically because of certain obvious injustices on behalf of its church members and leaders.  

 

But it shouldn’t be so.

 

When you have a true personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the faults of others will never offend you.  They may grieve you, but your faith should remain unchanged.  

 

 

 

 At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another. (Matt. 24:10 Am)

 

 

 

Supporting Text

 

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (Matt. 7:21-23)

 

Notice these ministers were convinced they were doing the Lord’s work, (executing his judgements) while Jesus said you were doing iniquities (complete injustices).  

 

Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. (Lu. 12:1-2)

 

Notice the mature ones are offending the younger little ones.

 

 Have the workers of inquiry no knowledge ? Who eat up my

People as they eat bread: they have have not called upon God. (Ps. 53:2)