Forgiveness (Part one of a three-part series)
It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come.
Mark 17:1
Let me begin with some “in your face” honesty. We’ve (meaning the Church of Jesus Christ) missed the “woe” here. Maybe we would be served here if we took a bit of a non-biblical tack and changed the word to “whoa.” Now, let’s be clear, this passage uses the word “woe” as an unambiguous denunciation of those who offend or those who take up offenses, but I want us to see the absolute certainty of the admonition of Jesus to “stop” such practice.
The word “offenses” is literally “snares.” The World will always be about the practice of causing others to be offended, stumble, and sin, but believers must never be guilty of that action. In fact, the following verse indicates it would be better to be dead; physically, actually dead.
We have no right to be offended, not by what others may say, or do, or even think (as if we knew what others think; as we often think we do). We have a responsibility to help others see their sin, and in a straightforward manner. But the design of that action is to find forgiveness, establish restoration, and practice brotherly llove.
Millstones were the rather large stones that were used for grinding grain. They were so large that it took a minimum of about one donkey power to turn them. Imagine having one of those things hanging around your neck. Jesus says it would be better to try swimming with one of those (an impossibility resulting in death) than to be a part of damaging and destroying those who are under His care.
Yet the reality is that we are often, I repeat, often guilty of such things. I am convinced that we cannot always stop those who would offend, but I know we can refuse to be offended. We may not be able to thwart the cutting words, or end the systemic gossip that plagues the family of God, but we can decline the Enemy’s offer to be offended, and we can repudiate the Enemy’s proposal that we become a participant in the process.
“Whoa!” Just stop it! Don’t miss that command underlying the denunciation (woe) of our Savior and Lord. It would be better not to know the Truth than to violate it or ignore it. God will hold his children accountable!