GIVING NO OFFENCE IN ANYTHING
(2 Cor.6:3)
Sometimes the walk and behavior of a professing Christian raises a question of the reality and truth of the profession. The testimony of a child of God surely ought to honor the Father, reflect Godliness, and leave no doubt of the holy standing (Matt.7:16). A true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is "born again" (John 3:3) by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and therefore the love of God ought to shine in one; else, others may well doubt any truth of the claim, and our walk may dishonor the Father.(2 Cor.6:3)
Is one a child of God by faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ? It may not make one perfect in all ways, but it will give a perfect standing with God for eternity; for one is thus forgiven and reconciled.
This spiritual birth miraculously brings one into "a new and living way" (Heb.10:20), by the blood of Christ, and gives one a new life and a new course. This life ought to be lived, and manifest, but may not be seen if we are occupied with self and carnality rather than the glory of God and the good of men.
It is expected by all, that a true believer will be the most loving and happy of all men, and not be thinking of self, but how we might serve God in appreciation for what He has done, and help others to come to the Savior. Self-indulgence, greediness, a proud and haughty spirit; gossip, criticism, anger, and such, will surely offend both men and God; and it pleases Satan. It is the unrestrained flesh within. Saints of God need to be afraid of their flesh, and always in humility and communion with their Lord. Truly the heart of a child of God should be moved to praise the Lord in devotion, and serve all. Joy and peace ought to characterize the saints, but we all surely fail in this. God says: "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light" (Eph.5).
Saints need to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt.5:16). Is that happening? If a child of God is not happy to be saved from eternal judgment, full of praise to God for His mercy in redeeming one's soul, and telling others, then surely that saint of God needs to learn to look up and surrender his/her will.
Our standing as a true believer is one of forgiveness and washing of our sins by God through Christ, so that we escape eternal condemnation, and become God's children by adoption and the new birth. Having this relationship in the family of God, we ought to walk in holiness as becometh holy royalty. Christians may fail to look to God for help, and not keep His Words, and behave carelessly or even shamefully. Christ is our example of the perfect Man, but if we fail to look to Him and think only upon self, we will not be happy, and will have a poor image and witness in the world (James 3:2).
Sometimes we begin feeling sorry for self and our many trials, and fail to look to God. That is not spiritually profitable. Saints of God ought to also be insulated from receiving offence through the love of God (Col.4:6). Sometimes we might be easily offended, because we think upon self too much and exalt the flesh. Our response to perceived offence ought to be as the example of Christ. He defended not Himself, but only the honor and glory of God (Isa.53:7; Matt.26:59-64). -R. L. DeWitt, 7/98
One will hear teaching and diverse ministry along our pathway from many sources . One should always test it by the Word of God (see John 5:39; Acts 17:11; II Tim.2:15; II Tim.3:16; Titus 1:9). Whether it is profitable often depends, too, on our state of soul. This paper is prepared with much care and prayer to be a help and honor the Lord. Comments and questions are welcome.
