An Offensive Saviour
John 8:42-44 Jesus said to them, “If God were really your Father, you would love me. I came from God, and now I am here. I did not come by my own authority. God sent me. You don’t understand the things I say, because you cannot accept my teaching. Your father is the devil. You belong to him. You want to do what he wants. He was a murderer from the beginning. He was always against the truth. There is no truth in him. He is like the lies he tells. Yes, the devil is a liar. He is the father of lies.”
None of us likes being offended. Sometimes we take offense, because the person dishing it out is just being obnoxious. Other times though, it’s because they’re telling us a truth that touches a raw nerve.
I was in a meeting with another ministry leader recently, and the way he talked about what God had called me to do was downright offensive. I was actually quite shocked. Now, we can choose to take offense, or not … and I chose not to. But you’ve been there too, right … and it’s not pleasant.
Fortunately though (or so our thinking goes) God is a God of love and He’d never set out to offend us. After all, we’re special to Him. Hmm.
Jesus, speaking to some people and knowing what was in their hearts, said:
John 8:42-44 If God were really your Father, you would love me. I came from God, and now I am here. I did not come by my own authority. God sent me. You don’t understand the things I say, because you cannot accept my teaching. Your father is the devil. You belong to him. You want to do what he wants. He was a murderer from the beginning. He was always against the truth. There is no truth in him. He is like the lies he tells. Yes, the devil is a liar. He is the father of lies.
If Jesus spoke to you that way, would you be offended? Probably. But when He appears to offend us, it’s not that He’s setting out to be obnoxious per se. It’s because He’s telling us a truth that’s touched a raw nerve.
And when that happens, it’s time to listen.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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Ninette
Yes it’s shocking & unnerving to hear ungodly words &/or see unchristlike conduct from the ministry! Thankyou ...
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Yes it’s shocking & unnerving to hear ungodly words &/or see unchristlike conduct from the ministry!
Thankyou for sharing your reaction of choosing not to be offended. What a test! Unfortunately I have this sinister minister as my neighbour, and such ongoing testing for me, sigh!
But thank you, the devil’s strategy of offending is uncovered since your sharing! Thank you, with God’s richest blessings to you Berni & your ministry devotional s . 😊