“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11
This prayer indicates that without an increase of love which produces knowledge and discernment I will cease to express genuine love and become offended. What type of offense is Paul warning against? He isn’t addressing not being offended at someone who hurt your feelings; Paul is addressing the deep seated accusation in all our hearts that God is not good. It is fairly easy to imagine that we don’t really have any offense against Jesus, until we examine what He has to say about offense, forgiveness and love:
“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.” – John 14:23
“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” – Matt 5:22
“Then the master called the servant in, ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” – Matthew 18:33-35
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matt 6:14-15
“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” – 2John 6
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1John4:8
If I am offended at my brother I have an offense against God because by holding onto that offense I am exalting my own way and wisdom above following His commands. The standard of forgiveness He holds to is the standard of what we have received. If we say we have been forgiven much but refuse to forgive our brother we call God a liar. To imagine that we approach the Son of God and demand our offense legitimate and right is both astounding and terrifying, as though He should come and defend Himself from our offense. He alone is right and He alone is just. Jesus isn’t returning to approve of western Christianity. He is returning for a pure and spotless Bride who will stand in agreement with Him. In Joshua 5:13 Joshua is preparing to take the city of Jericho. He looks up and sees a Man holding in His hand a drawn sword. Joshua inquires as to what side the Man stands with, but the Man stands alone and states: “As Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Jesus isn’t going to choose my side over yours, as if we can justify ourselves before Him in our anger or offense against another. He only chooses perfect justice which means He chooses Himself. Our choice which side we will stand with, our own or His.
The only way I will be not be offended, now and in that day, is by Him and through Him. To even acknowledge this internal disagreement with God is evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart and understanding. We must come to Him as one poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3), not shocked by our wickedness but ready to surrender and say “Yes” to His ways.
- Jesus, examine my heart, search its hidden places I don’t even know exist so that I will stand in agreement with you today and in the days to come. Lead me, teach me how to love that I might know you! Fill me with wisdom and discernment for apart from you I have no good thing. You alone are the perfect leader and I desire to know and agree with you alone.
