God of Grace January 27

Matthew 18:6-7

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Do you remember one of the greatest players in the NFL Barry Sanders, who played for the Detroit Lions as a running back? He always appeared to me to be a man of great moral character as well as a superior athlete. When he first began his NFL career, he fumbled the ball during a game, he became so angry at himself that he determined he would never fumble again. He went the rest of his career without ever fumbling the ball! Pretty amazing stat considering he was a premiere runner and carried the ball so much, just think about all the hits he took.

It’s the same way with sin, were going to drop the ball when it comes to offenses or getting offended, but don’t just say “Oh well” and go on about your day. Get angry at that sin! And determine in your heart not to do it again. Ask for forgiveness and forgive yourself as well, then move on and if you repeat, repent.

What about when people offend you? Simple just forgive and move on. We read this scripture, but we always tend to miss the most important words in this verse: ‘Must needs’ or more easily translated to the word ‘Necessary.’ Why would Jesus add this word? Because God allowed it, when He gave us a free will, He set life and death before us, and then He gives us a hint, "choose life" (Deut. 39:19.) But the choice is still ours to make. Every time we make the choice to offend someone, we have in effect chosen death over life.

Be a star running back for the Lord choose life with your words.

He is: Yahweh-Channun

God of Grace

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