Infinite Grace

"Offense should not be our weapon."

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (Psalm 119:165)

WE WEAR our persecution like a badge. “It is honorable,” we say. But if that’s true, then what’s with God’s promise of favor with man (Proverbs 3:4)? I heard this spoken of about proverbs which speak opposite views of the same thing. “So, which is right?” the speaker asked. Well, both. They are both in God’s Word. Thinking of persecution, we can say the same thing. There will be persecution from those not in God, this includes many in the church, but there is also favor that deletes persecution. I have chosen the latter. I will never have persecution. No one will find offense in me. This applies to my personal habits and choices, what I say and what I do, but as well, to people’s viewpoints of what I say and do. I have given the Holy Spirit full control.

No one can use any secular systems to speak against the work God gives me to do. I said this of book reviews, long ago, and so mirrored that behavior to others. I stopped giving reviews, or comments even, unless it is to praise the writer. This should be our mindset across the family of Jesus. That is what we are. Offense should not be our weapon. It shouldn’t be in us, for that matter. I referred to this before, but I was so taken by Andrew Wommack’s statement when he said his grandchildren have never seen him angry. What a wonderful thing! Anger is forbidden in the powerful words of Paul in Ephesians 4. Instead of making an excuse for it though misinterpretation of Scripture, “Be ye angry and sin not (Verse 26),” read further where it says, “DON’T BE ANGRY EVER (Verse 31).” Anger will always spur us to sin, especially through our words. Even if it is under our breath and no person but God heard it, then it should not have been said. “That’s hard to do,” you say. Not when you see the love of God, which is where I’m going with this.

I’m asking you to ask Him for a vision of it. He showed His love to me, the length and breadth, height and depth, and it wiped away all hate. All of it. Now, I don’t condone sin, and anger leads to sin, but Jesus hates no one. He died for all men BY NAME in order to rescue them from hate – theirs, yours. In order to fill them with love so great it never ends, never finds offense, never hurts anyone, but forgives and forgives and forgives. Seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22) Seven million times seven million. There is no ending to infinite grace. TO us or FROM us.

“Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:22)

We spend all our time striving to love under our own ability, even if we know of God’s love through us to all men. I’m telling you He will give you a revelation which will eliminate your efforts entirely. All we are, all we do, all we think, should be His. That’s what He sent the Holy Spirit to live in us and do. He isn’t just taking up space so we’ll get to heaven one day. He’s our Teacher, our Guide, our Comfort (John 14:26;John 16:13). He is the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17). From Him, we have power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). His Presence in us produces fruit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). Notice what is first. LOVE.

Love says, “No one will be able to speak against me because the peace of God in me overflows God’s peace to those around me.” Love gives us favor with people because that is better for them as much as it is for us. We should never desire an argument. Being frank, that attitude is the devil and darkness. We stand for truth. We walk in peace. Raise the stakes to a higher level, expect more from God and lay down more of yourself.

“He it is that will guide thy course aright, and set thy journey forward in peace.” (Proverbs 4:27)


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com