November 25, 2020
Choose Grace Over Offense
Most importantly, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8 NLT)
The enemy of your soul has a plan to abort God’s plan for your life. “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. (Hebrews 12:15 NLT) He has a specific strategy to destroy relationships. Whether these relationships are in business, marriage, family, or friendships, his method is the same. A conflict arises, judgments are made, and feelings are hurt. Most of the time, offense takes place, or feelings are hurt because of wrong perception or miscommunication. What happens next is the defining point of whether the enemy gains a foothold, or the grace of God covers the wrong.
When a root of bitterness is planted and grows up, it not only affects that person, but it also affects all others who are involved. It is like cancer. Anger not dealt with turns to bitterness, and the root of bitterness destroys everyone around you. Breaking Satan’s foothold requires at least one person to press into God’s grace and walk in the love of Christ. (Ephesians 4:26-27) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT) Be a peacemaker and forgive quickly! Peace and resolve cannot happen when either party “feels” like it, for none of us will ever feel like forgiving. None of us feel like talking when we’re hurt. Our natural response is to withdraw or lash out at the offending party. Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you.
Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:13-14 NLT) It is only obedience that allows God’s grace to cover the wrongs incurred. This grace prevents the parties from becoming victims who will seek compensation for their pain. The next time someone hurts you, realize the gravity of the crossroads where you find yourself. Choose grace instead of bitterness. Then you will be free to move past the hurt and not giving place to the root of bitterness. Clothe yourself in love! Be quick to forgive and resolve conflict!
