Keeping It Real About Offense

I think it’s important to keep the conversation about offense real.  To continue to look into our own inner lives.  And think about the ways we relate to those in our relationships who are offending us.

As we continue to be jarred by the events unfolding in the Middle East, especially the overwhelming force of reactionary retribution to offense, I think it’s important to keep this conversation real.  To bring it home.  To continue to look into our own inner lives.  And think about the ways we relate to those in our relationships who are offending us.

What goes through our mind?

How do we feel?

What do we do?

At the same time, I think we also need to consider some of Jesus’ most provocative statements.  Essentially, His relational vision for our lives.

As we know, offense is closely linked to anger.  Together, they fuel a powerful response.  The need for retribution.  Plotting revenge.  Offense has to retaliate. It often returns one hurtful, spiteful, even violent, action for another.  Exacting the need to get back.

In our modern world, just like in the ancient world, war and violence are all about the power of retribution by using our authority to act.

But Jesus . . .

He steps into the messiness of our reactionary relational lives with something very, very different.  Radical, really.  In fact, it’s SO different, that since He said it, His followers, people like you and me, have really struggled to live it out.

“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.

You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:38-39, 43-44, NLT).

Love, according to Jesus, is the core response to offense.  Not anger or retribution.  Interestingly, it is exactly how Jesus related to others.  All others.  Every single person.

But how?  How did He do this?  How can we really love someone who has offended us rather than respond by getting back, an “eye for an eye”, further fomenting anger and bitterness?

Over the weeks leading to Christmas, we’ll look more at this.  As we’ve already considered the mercy of Jesus, we’ll look at some other stunning, relational ways Jesus responded to offense.

In the meantime, over this next week, take some time to read and re-read the verses above.

Ask God how prayer is linked to love.

Then, ask Him how prayer and love are linked into your relationships.  Especially, the ones you feel are marked by anger because of an offense you’ve experienced.