November 20, 2016 (Proverbs 17:9)

“Whoever covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends” (Prov 17:9). One of the primary tenets of Christian life is to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus the Christ (Anointed One). This involves the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of those who will humble themselves and above all seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt 6:33). Certainly one of most outstanding traits about Jesus described in the scriptures was His refusal to take offense in the face of repeated rejection if not outright persecution by those He came to save. One can hardly imagine the painful hurt inflicted early in ministry when, after speaking in His hometown synagogue, those who had known Him since childhood made an attempt to kill Jesus by throwing Him over a cliff (Luke 28,29). Consistently Jesus covered over offenses right up to and including His crucifixion in order to promote love, even asking the heavenly Father to forgive those who had treated Him so cruelly. If we are going to walk in the footsteps of the One we call Lord and Savior, we too must accept the mandate of God to sacrifice our personal rights and not take offense against others. So it is Jesus commands in teaching the disciples on a mountainside, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:44,45). In addition, when unpleasant things occurs, they are not to be repeated as gossip or slander. The choice is to do what pleases our heavenly Father or do what pleases Satan. It is really that simple, whether we choose to honor God or bow to a sinful nature.