ORACLES: Lesson 36

Don’t stop being courteous because others have decided to be rude. It’s your day!

There are so many reasons in life to be offended. So many occasions to feel as though the world owes you something. You’re bound to have a bad taste in your mouth at some point or another because it’s easy to misinterpret motives or perceive the behavior of others as a personal attack on your character, integrity or person.

Offense will come, but with all offense God’s answer is love. And that’s not insignificant! It is because of love that Jesus “committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”, rather, “…when he was reviled, [He] did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” (1 Peter 2:22-23) Thereby, His example of love is our answer when offended.

You’re deceiving yourself if you think that you can justify unforgiveness, resentment or bitterness when God has given you a way to live with freedom, joy and peace. So, stop harboring bad feelings and empower yourself by first, committing the offense and your heart to God, then make the following confession daily: “Father, I thank You for cleansing my conscience from dead works so I may serve You sincerely. I choose to forgive by faith and I ask that you set me free from this snare, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

I’m not saying it’s easy, I’m saying God made it possible. Receive correction and start today. Survey your heart at the end of a week, a month and then a year. The blood of Jesus has power to save you completely—allow it!