Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them."
Do any of you ever struggle with being offended?
Lauren & I picked this as our first verse to memorize together, and this week--it has been quite necessary for us both!
The Bible talks A LOT about love and forgiveness. Christ was the ultimate example of love and forgiveness. And in our endeavor to be more Christ-like, we are called to to do the same!!
Trust me, this is not always easy (or maybe it's never easy)--but that does not change the fact that it is what we are supposed to do!
Zechariah 8:16-17 "These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD."
1 John 4:7-8 "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
Galatians 5:13-15 "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty (or freedom); only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself". But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."
Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
Philippians 2:3-4 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
And, I guess this one sums up the purpose of the post perfectly:
Philippians 1:9-11 "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."
We all try to justify our actions, especially when we are mad or upset--but read the above verses! None of them say, "unless they were really ugly to you--then it's ok" or "if your hormones are so wack, you just can't help yourself". Trust me, I've been there... : )
Remember,
1 John 4:20-21 "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also."
How guilty am I of not loving "my brother". And how dare I? Jesus gave Himself for me, and yet I get wrapped up in silly resentments and animosity.
John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."
To be truly Christ-like, a true Christian, I must reflect His principles and His laws--and that includes in my offenses!
How different would our families, and even our churches, be if Jesus Christ and His command: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself" Luke 10:27 was our first and foremost thought in every situation?
So, today, let's resolve to do as He says! "Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise." Luke 10:37 !!
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