Love is Not Provoked
“Among these were of the children of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar [the king's attendant], Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by [eating his portion of] the king's rich and dainty food or by [drinking] the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might [be allowed] not to defile himself.” (Daniel 1:6-8)
Daniel was taken to Babylon when it was besieged. As a prisoner of war, he was taken into the kings service and given an opportunity to learn the culture, literature, and language of the Chaldeans. Rather than fighting his circumstances or demanding something different, Daniel looked only to how he would glorify God in it. His concern was for defiling himself on the king's delicacies rather than his rights or freedom.
Too often when we don't like our circumstances, we fight against them assuming they cannot be from God. The Israelites did this when God told them through Jeremiah that they would be taken to Babylon. They were to surrender themselves and go live in this new land. However, they fought it all the way and made it way more difficult than it had to be.
God tells Paul in Acts 9:5, “It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goad [to offer vain and perilous resistance].”
In the midst of Daniel embracing his difficult circumstances, God gave him great favor. Daniel 1:9 says, “Now God made Daniel to find favor, compassion, and loving-kindness with the chief of the eunuchs.”
Then as Daniel grew in his responsibilities, God gave Nebuchadnezzar a troubling dream. God gave the king this troubling dream knowing that he would demand that the king's diviners give the dream and the interpretation – eventually resulting in the king becoming angry and issuing a decree that all wise men in the land be destroyed.
When the king's diviners were asked, they told him no one could do such a thing expect the gods reveal it. When the decree came, Daniel's response was to ask for some time to give the interpretation. He then fasted and prayed, along with his friends, and received the dream and interpretation from God.
When Daniel was able to give both the dream and interpretation, it left the king awestruck with this living God who obviously was the revealer of all things. The king responded in Daniel 2:47, “Of a truth your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and the Revealer of secret mysteries, seeing that you could reveal this secret mystery!”
If it was just about the dream, God could have sent Daniel in to the king with both the dream and interpretation rather than giving it to the king directly. However, in His wisdom, He knew exactly what was needed in the situation for the king to acknowledge God.
God did not tell Daniel upfront what was going to happen. Daniel had to trust God in the moment as the situation was unfolding. To be honest, if God were to do something like that to me, I would have struggled with and offense toward Him. I would have been offended with Him for giving the king a dream that resulted in me having to deal with the stress and fear around my life being threatened -even to advance the kingdom.
God put Daniel and/or his friends in dangerous situations more than once while they were serving Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon (a place they never wanted to be in the first place). In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown in a fiery furnace because of their refusal to bow down and worship a golden image.
Even in their faithfulness to God, He did not keep them from trouble. Instead, He delivered them in it. The result of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego surviving the fiery furnace was that that king issued a decree “that any people, nation, and language that speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be cut in pieces and their houses made a dunghill, for there is no other God who can deliver in this way!” (Daniel 3:29)
And in Daniel 6:16, Daniel was thrown in a lion's den because he continued to petition God after the king decreed that no one could petition anyone but him for 30 days. Because of decree resulting in Daniel to be thrown in the lion's den, the king (Darius) [successor to Belshazzar] repented and actually fasted and prayed for Daniel. He came to Daniel the next day asking, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, Whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?”
When he saw Daniel was spared he wrote a decree to all peoples, nations and languages. He wrote, “I make a decree that in all my royal dominion men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for He is the living God, enduring and steadfast forever, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed and His dominion shall be even to the end [of the world]. He is a Savior and Deliverer, and He works signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth -He Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:25-27)
“You make all things work together for my good” sings.
Each time, God did not spare Daniel or his friends from difficulties. However, God did deliver them in the midst of the incredibly difficult trial. And in every situation, Daniel and his friends did not become offended with God but looked for how they could be faithful in the midst of their difficulty.
Psalm 92:14-15 says, “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness -trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”
Daniel and his friends were unoffendable when faced with trials and tribulations. Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble.”
Having a tranquil heart that is unoffendable is the fruit of holding fast to God, His ways and His word. It is as we look to God that He keeps us from stumbling.
Proverbs 3:1-2 says, “My son, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you.”
“How could I doubt His tender mercy …He gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living Bread..” sings.
When John was placed in prison and facing his death, he sent a message by his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the One they were expecting. Jesus answered the disciples that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor hear the good news (Matthew 11:5).
He went on to tell the disciples in Matthew 11:6, “And blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is he who takes no offense at Me and finds no cause for stumbling in or through Me and is not hindered from seeing the Truth.”
“You took my place, You showed me grace at the cross where You died for me.”
An offense is something that causes “a person to bristle with indignation or disgust.” Jesus was an offense to those who did not believe in Him. Commentary notes, “The Jews were offended because faith without Jewish legal observances was offered as the only means of salvation.” [1]
The cross is a stumbling block and place of offense to those who will not believe (Gal. 5:11). Peter says in 1 Peter 2:7-8, “But for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone, And, A stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense...”
Romans 9:33 says, “As it is written, Behold I am laying in Zion a Stone that will make men stumble, a Rock that will make them fall [away in offense – my interjection not in the AMP version]; but he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall not be put to shame nor be disappointed in his expectations.”
Jesus says about the end times that wars, troubled and frightening news, famines and earthquakes will be just the beginning of the birth pangs. He goes on to note that that many will become offended.
Matthew 24:9-10 says, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
“All the way my Savior leads me... Jesus led me all the way... You lead me and keep me from falling” sings in the background
Some versions of this scripture translate this as many will be offended and will fall away from God:
Yet God is more than able to keep us from falling when we look to Him. Jesus prays to His father in John 17:12, “While I was with them, I kept and preserved them in Your Name [in the knowledge and worship of You]. Those You have given Me I guarded and protected, and not one of them has perished or is lost except the son of perdition [Judas Iscariot- the one who is now doomed to destruction, destined to be lost], that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”
“Oh how He loves us, Oh how He loves” sings in the background.
Jude 1:24 says, “Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight].”
“Your love is, your love is, your love is strong” sings
I've always felt it was my job to not fall away from God by keeping in good standing with Him. To be honest, I have always been afraid of 'falling away.' Matthew 11:6 “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
“All the way my Savior leads me... Oh the sureness of His promise and the triumph of His blood” sings.
Fall away in this verse in Matthew 11:6 is actually the Greek word skandalizō, Strongs #4624 and it is the same word as offended. It means one who gets entangled and feels annoyed or to place a impediment in the way, to sin or to make indignant. [2]
To 'fall away' in this sense does not mean that we risk losing our relationship with Christ when we become offended, deserting God and going away very sad. He is able to keep us, even in our offense, as we look to Him. We become separated in the sense of that being offended is a sin and we need to repent.
In John 10:27-29, Jesus says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.”
Peter had thought that he was able to keep himself from stumbling and falling away by his own strength and in his own effort (Matthew 26:31-35).
Jesus told His disciples, “Then Jesus said to them, You will all be offended and stumble and fall away because of Me this night [distrusting and deserting Me], for it is written, I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I am raised up [to life again], I will go ahead of you to Galilee.
Peter declared to Him, Though they all are offended and stumble and fall away because of You [and distrust and desert You], I will never do so.
Jesus said to him, Solemnly I declare to you, this very night, before a single rooster crows, you will deny and disown Me three times.
Peter said to Him, Even if I must die with You, I will not deny or disown You! And all the disciples said the same thing.”
Peter and all the disciples became offended and 'fell away' when Jesus was struck and went to the cross. Yet Jesus never let go of any of them – except Judas who was destined for destruction (John 17:12).
After Jesus was risen, He went and appeared to His disciples, drawing them back to Himself.
To “fall away” in the sense of becoming offended is a sin that separates us from God and we need to repent. Coming back to Matthew 11:6, as some translations read, “Blessed is he who takes no offense at me.”
Matthew 18:7, “Woe unto the world because of offences [temptation to sin in some translations]! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”
Acts 24:17 says, “Therefore I always exercise and discipline myself [mortifying my body, deadening m carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavoring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men.”
When we are in a place of offense, we are missing the mark and the word is not taking root in our heart in faith. In Mark 4:17, regarding the parable of the Word sown in people's hearts, Jesus explains of the stony ground, “And they have no real root in themselves, and so they endure for a little while; then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word, they immediately are offended (become displeased, indignant, resentful) and they stumble and fall away.”
When trouble and persecution arises and we remain faithful without getting offended and 'falling away' we grow deeper in Christ and more like Him. Suffering patiently without offense is producing in us an eternal weight of glory (2 Cor. 4:17).
It is when we feel we are treated unfairly or wronged that we often take up an offense with God and/or with others. It can lead to contention and even bitterness. Proverbs 18:19 says, “A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.” Offense is a counter force to unity.
1 Peter 2:19-23 says, For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering. [After all] what kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently? But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results] when you do right and that is undeserved, it is acceptable and pleasing to God.
When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but He trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly.”
Sometimes God will act on our behalf to protect us from offense when it will result in our harm rather than growth. In Mathew 17:27, Jesus told Peter, “However, in order not to give offense and cause them to stumble [that is, to cause them to judge unfavorably and unjustly] go down to the sea and throw in a hook. Take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find there a shekel. Take it and give it to them to pay the temple tax for Me and for yourself.”
In the same way, we are to try our best not to give others a reason for offense. Paul spoke of not creating offenses that would get in people's way of their relationship with Christ. He says in 2 Corinthians 6:3, “We put no obstruction in anybody's way [we give no offense in anything], so that no fault may be found and [our] ministry blamed and discredited.”
However, frequently God will let us be put in difficult situations and trials so that we have an opportunity to grow more into His likeness. Just as it did with Daniel and his friends, the kingdom shines through brightest in the midst of tribulations.
During the end times, Daniel prophesies of tremendous difficulties that refine, purify and prepare His bride for His coming. As noted earlier, there is tremendous temptation for offenses in the end times. Daniel 11:35 says, “And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.”
Rather than become offended, we are to rejoice in sharing in Christ's sufferings as an incredible blessing and honor. 1 Peter 4:12-14 goes on to say, “Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you.
But insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly]. If you are censured and suffer abuse [because you bear] the name of Christ, blessed [are you -happy, fortunate, to be envied, with life-joy, and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward condition], because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, is resting upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”
Taking offense is rooted in self focus and pride –we are treated unjustly and deserve better.
One article notes, “Offenses usually occur when someone says something to us too harshly—or at least we interpret it that way. It can and does occur when we perceive that we have been ignored, overlooked or given a responsibility we do not want. Or we become offended when we are blamed for something we did not do, or on the other hand, when we do not receive credit for what we did do. We may be offended when someone has been inconsiderate or thoughtless or has used us for their own purposes. The ways to become offended are myriad.” [3]
Proverbs 19:11 says, “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Sometimes we just simply pick up the offense of someone else. Proverbs 26:17 says, “Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.”
This author mentioned above writes: “Love 'Is Not Provoked.' It is interesting to note in the 'Love Chapter' that the Revised Standard Version translates I Corinthians 13:5 as, 'It is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.'
The Revised English Bible translates the same verse, 'Never rude; love is never selfish, never quick to take offense. Love keeps no score of wrongs.'
The Amplified Bible renders it, 'It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].'” [4]
In the same way that we are called not to pick up offenses or be provoked when we are wronged, God is not provoked by our wrongs. He never becomes offended when we do not get it right or when we wrong Him. He simply loves us. He hopes and believes the best about us, serving us in humility and working to get us back on track.
It takes humility and meekness to not pick up offenses when we are wronged. 1 Peter 5:5-6 says, “Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another.
For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful) -[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you.”
Lord, forgive me for picking up offenses recently – with both you and others. Especially forgive me where I felt you put me in a situation that caused me stress for your kingdom benefit and I became offended about it. It is an honor to be invited into being part of your kingdom work!
Help us to keep our eyes on you and not pick up offenses. As the song sings, you make all things work together for our good. Help us to trust you and rest in your love in difficulties and trials. Thank you that you invite us into the work of your kingdom. Give us the grace to love others the way you love us.
1. Hayford, Jack W. ; Thomas Nelson Publishers: Hayford's Bible Handbook. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995
2. Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. G4624
3-4. Ritenbaugh, John. W. “The Defense Against Offense.” Church of the Great God. Located at: http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/PERSONAL/k/562/The-Defense-Against-Offense.htm#ixzz1r1suDZZV. Last accessed: 4/3/12.
But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by [eating his portion of] the king's rich and dainty food or by [drinking] the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might [be allowed] not to defile himself.” (Daniel 1:6-8)
Daniel was taken to Babylon when it was besieged. As a prisoner of war, he was taken into the kings service and given an opportunity to learn the culture, literature, and language of the Chaldeans. Rather than fighting his circumstances or demanding something different, Daniel looked only to how he would glorify God in it. His concern was for defiling himself on the king's delicacies rather than his rights or freedom.
Too often when we don't like our circumstances, we fight against them assuming they cannot be from God. The Israelites did this when God told them through Jeremiah that they would be taken to Babylon. They were to surrender themselves and go live in this new land. However, they fought it all the way and made it way more difficult than it had to be.
God tells Paul in Acts 9:5, “It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goad [to offer vain and perilous resistance].”
In the midst of Daniel embracing his difficult circumstances, God gave him great favor. Daniel 1:9 says, “Now God made Daniel to find favor, compassion, and loving-kindness with the chief of the eunuchs.”
Then as Daniel grew in his responsibilities, God gave Nebuchadnezzar a troubling dream. God gave the king this troubling dream knowing that he would demand that the king's diviners give the dream and the interpretation – eventually resulting in the king becoming angry and issuing a decree that all wise men in the land be destroyed.
When the king's diviners were asked, they told him no one could do such a thing expect the gods reveal it. When the decree came, Daniel's response was to ask for some time to give the interpretation. He then fasted and prayed, along with his friends, and received the dream and interpretation from God.
When Daniel was able to give both the dream and interpretation, it left the king awestruck with this living God who obviously was the revealer of all things. The king responded in Daniel 2:47, “Of a truth your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and the Revealer of secret mysteries, seeing that you could reveal this secret mystery!”
If it was just about the dream, God could have sent Daniel in to the king with both the dream and interpretation rather than giving it to the king directly. However, in His wisdom, He knew exactly what was needed in the situation for the king to acknowledge God.
God did not tell Daniel upfront what was going to happen. Daniel had to trust God in the moment as the situation was unfolding. To be honest, if God were to do something like that to me, I would have struggled with and offense toward Him. I would have been offended with Him for giving the king a dream that resulted in me having to deal with the stress and fear around my life being threatened -even to advance the kingdom.
God put Daniel and/or his friends in dangerous situations more than once while they were serving Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon (a place they never wanted to be in the first place). In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown in a fiery furnace because of their refusal to bow down and worship a golden image.
Even in their faithfulness to God, He did not keep them from trouble. Instead, He delivered them in it. The result of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego surviving the fiery furnace was that that king issued a decree “that any people, nation, and language that speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be cut in pieces and their houses made a dunghill, for there is no other God who can deliver in this way!” (Daniel 3:29)
And in Daniel 6:16, Daniel was thrown in a lion's den because he continued to petition God after the king decreed that no one could petition anyone but him for 30 days. Because of decree resulting in Daniel to be thrown in the lion's den, the king (Darius) [successor to Belshazzar] repented and actually fasted and prayed for Daniel. He came to Daniel the next day asking, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, Whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?”
When he saw Daniel was spared he wrote a decree to all peoples, nations and languages. He wrote, “I make a decree that in all my royal dominion men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for He is the living God, enduring and steadfast forever, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed and His dominion shall be even to the end [of the world]. He is a Savior and Deliverer, and He works signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth -He Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:25-27)
“You make all things work together for my good” sings.
Each time, God did not spare Daniel or his friends from difficulties. However, God did deliver them in the midst of the incredibly difficult trial. And in every situation, Daniel and his friends did not become offended with God but looked for how they could be faithful in the midst of their difficulty.
Psalm 92:14-15 says, “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness -trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”
Daniel and his friends were unoffendable when faced with trials and tribulations. Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble.”
Having a tranquil heart that is unoffendable is the fruit of holding fast to God, His ways and His word. It is as we look to God that He keeps us from stumbling.
Proverbs 3:1-2 says, “My son, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you.”
“How could I doubt His tender mercy …He gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living Bread..” sings.
When John was placed in prison and facing his death, he sent a message by his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the One they were expecting. Jesus answered the disciples that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor hear the good news (Matthew 11:5).
He went on to tell the disciples in Matthew 11:6, “And blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is he who takes no offense at Me and finds no cause for stumbling in or through Me and is not hindered from seeing the Truth.”
“You took my place, You showed me grace at the cross where You died for me.”
An offense is something that causes “a person to bristle with indignation or disgust.” Jesus was an offense to those who did not believe in Him. Commentary notes, “The Jews were offended because faith without Jewish legal observances was offered as the only means of salvation.” [1]
The cross is a stumbling block and place of offense to those who will not believe (Gal. 5:11). Peter says in 1 Peter 2:7-8, “But for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone, And, A stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense...”
Romans 9:33 says, “As it is written, Behold I am laying in Zion a Stone that will make men stumble, a Rock that will make them fall [away in offense – my interjection not in the AMP version]; but he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall not be put to shame nor be disappointed in his expectations.”
Jesus says about the end times that wars, troubled and frightening news, famines and earthquakes will be just the beginning of the birth pangs. He goes on to note that that many will become offended.
Matthew 24:9-10 says, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
“All the way my Savior leads me... Jesus led me all the way... You lead me and keep me from falling” sings in the background
Some versions of this scripture translate this as many will be offended and will fall away from God:
Matthew 24:9-10 in the Amplified says, “Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction and tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred.”
Yet God is more than able to keep us from falling when we look to Him. Jesus prays to His father in John 17:12, “While I was with them, I kept and preserved them in Your Name [in the knowledge and worship of You]. Those You have given Me I guarded and protected, and not one of them has perished or is lost except the son of perdition [Judas Iscariot- the one who is now doomed to destruction, destined to be lost], that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”
“Oh how He loves us, Oh how He loves” sings in the background.
Jude 1:24 says, “Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight].”
“Your love is, your love is, your love is strong” sings
I've always felt it was my job to not fall away from God by keeping in good standing with Him. To be honest, I have always been afraid of 'falling away.' Matthew 11:6 “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
“All the way my Savior leads me... Oh the sureness of His promise and the triumph of His blood” sings.
Fall away in this verse in Matthew 11:6 is actually the Greek word skandalizō, Strongs #4624 and it is the same word as offended. It means one who gets entangled and feels annoyed or to place a impediment in the way, to sin or to make indignant. [2]
To 'fall away' in this sense does not mean that we risk losing our relationship with Christ when we become offended, deserting God and going away very sad. He is able to keep us, even in our offense, as we look to Him. We become separated in the sense of that being offended is a sin and we need to repent.
In John 10:27-29, Jesus says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.”
Peter had thought that he was able to keep himself from stumbling and falling away by his own strength and in his own effort (Matthew 26:31-35).
Jesus told His disciples, “Then Jesus said to them, You will all be offended and stumble and fall away because of Me this night [distrusting and deserting Me], for it is written, I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I am raised up [to life again], I will go ahead of you to Galilee.
Peter declared to Him, Though they all are offended and stumble and fall away because of You [and distrust and desert You], I will never do so.
Jesus said to him, Solemnly I declare to you, this very night, before a single rooster crows, you will deny and disown Me three times.
Peter said to Him, Even if I must die with You, I will not deny or disown You! And all the disciples said the same thing.”
Peter and all the disciples became offended and 'fell away' when Jesus was struck and went to the cross. Yet Jesus never let go of any of them – except Judas who was destined for destruction (John 17:12).
After Jesus was risen, He went and appeared to His disciples, drawing them back to Himself.
To “fall away” in the sense of becoming offended is a sin that separates us from God and we need to repent. Coming back to Matthew 11:6, as some translations read, “Blessed is he who takes no offense at me.”
Matthew 18:7, “Woe unto the world because of offences [temptation to sin in some translations]! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”
Acts 24:17 says, “Therefore I always exercise and discipline myself [mortifying my body, deadening m carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavoring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men.”
When we are in a place of offense, we are missing the mark and the word is not taking root in our heart in faith. In Mark 4:17, regarding the parable of the Word sown in people's hearts, Jesus explains of the stony ground, “And they have no real root in themselves, and so they endure for a little while; then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word, they immediately are offended (become displeased, indignant, resentful) and they stumble and fall away.”
When trouble and persecution arises and we remain faithful without getting offended and 'falling away' we grow deeper in Christ and more like Him. Suffering patiently without offense is producing in us an eternal weight of glory (2 Cor. 4:17).
It is when we feel we are treated unfairly or wronged that we often take up an offense with God and/or with others. It can lead to contention and even bitterness. Proverbs 18:19 says, “A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.” Offense is a counter force to unity.
1 Peter 2:19-23 says, For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering. [After all] what kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently? But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results] when you do right and that is undeserved, it is acceptable and pleasing to God.
When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but He trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly.”
Sometimes God will act on our behalf to protect us from offense when it will result in our harm rather than growth. In Mathew 17:27, Jesus told Peter, “However, in order not to give offense and cause them to stumble [that is, to cause them to judge unfavorably and unjustly] go down to the sea and throw in a hook. Take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find there a shekel. Take it and give it to them to pay the temple tax for Me and for yourself.”
In the same way, we are to try our best not to give others a reason for offense. Paul spoke of not creating offenses that would get in people's way of their relationship with Christ. He says in 2 Corinthians 6:3, “We put no obstruction in anybody's way [we give no offense in anything], so that no fault may be found and [our] ministry blamed and discredited.”
However, frequently God will let us be put in difficult situations and trials so that we have an opportunity to grow more into His likeness. Just as it did with Daniel and his friends, the kingdom shines through brightest in the midst of tribulations.
During the end times, Daniel prophesies of tremendous difficulties that refine, purify and prepare His bride for His coming. As noted earlier, there is tremendous temptation for offenses in the end times. Daniel 11:35 says, “And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.”
Rather than become offended, we are to rejoice in sharing in Christ's sufferings as an incredible blessing and honor. 1 Peter 4:12-14 goes on to say, “Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you.
But insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly]. If you are censured and suffer abuse [because you bear] the name of Christ, blessed [are you -happy, fortunate, to be envied, with life-joy, and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward condition], because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, is resting upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”
Taking offense is rooted in self focus and pride –we are treated unjustly and deserve better.
One article notes, “Offenses usually occur when someone says something to us too harshly—or at least we interpret it that way. It can and does occur when we perceive that we have been ignored, overlooked or given a responsibility we do not want. Or we become offended when we are blamed for something we did not do, or on the other hand, when we do not receive credit for what we did do. We may be offended when someone has been inconsiderate or thoughtless or has used us for their own purposes. The ways to become offended are myriad.” [3]
Proverbs 19:11 says, “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Sometimes we just simply pick up the offense of someone else. Proverbs 26:17 says, “Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.”
This author mentioned above writes: “Love 'Is Not Provoked.' It is interesting to note in the 'Love Chapter' that the Revised Standard Version translates I Corinthians 13:5 as, 'It is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.'
The Revised English Bible translates the same verse, 'Never rude; love is never selfish, never quick to take offense. Love keeps no score of wrongs.'
The Amplified Bible renders it, 'It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].'” [4]
In the same way that we are called not to pick up offenses or be provoked when we are wronged, God is not provoked by our wrongs. He never becomes offended when we do not get it right or when we wrong Him. He simply loves us. He hopes and believes the best about us, serving us in humility and working to get us back on track.
It takes humility and meekness to not pick up offenses when we are wronged. 1 Peter 5:5-6 says, “Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another.
For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful) -[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you.”
Lord, forgive me for picking up offenses recently – with both you and others. Especially forgive me where I felt you put me in a situation that caused me stress for your kingdom benefit and I became offended about it. It is an honor to be invited into being part of your kingdom work!
Help us to keep our eyes on you and not pick up offenses. As the song sings, you make all things work together for our good. Help us to trust you and rest in your love in difficulties and trials. Thank you that you invite us into the work of your kingdom. Give us the grace to love others the way you love us.
1. Hayford, Jack W. ; Thomas Nelson Publishers: Hayford's Bible Handbook. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995
2. Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. G4624
3-4. Ritenbaugh, John. W. “The Defense Against Offense.” Church of the Great God. Located at: http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/PERSONAL/k/562/The-Defense-Against-Offense.htm#ixzz1r1suDZZV. Last accessed: 4/3/12.
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