“And blessed is he who is not offended because of me.” – Matthew 11:6 (NKJV) 

Jesus says this in response to John the Baptist’s inquiry whether or not he is the Messiah. I’ve been contemplating a lot on why Jesus would say this rather than tell John ‘yes or no’. I don’t know how John received Jesus’ reply but I think I can draw a parallel with my own personal experiences. 

John the Baptist preached repentance, repentance, repentance (Matthew 3). He shouted out loud in the wilderness that the people must repent and turn from their sins. If that was the message that God placed in my heart to preach then I would expect judgement, judgement, judgement. Instead Jesus does these things: “The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them” (Matthew 11:5 NKJV). It’s completely opposite of judgement. I can understand why Jesus told John the Baptist to not be offended. 

Honestly, many times I get offended how God works. I don’t agree with his ways and his system of doing things. If I’m not carefully guarded against the lies of the enemy then I can be one of many Christians who give up on their first love for Jesus and service to the body of Christ. In my doubts I must remember that God’s ways are good and perfect. I must choose to believe in his goodness and mercy. I must come to him for understanding and wisdom in order to get rid of any offenses in my heart. Why? Because according to Jesus then I’m blessed. 

When I recommitted back to the Lord four years ago I had no idea God would ask me to put on the alter the one thing I valued most highly – my freedom – to do as I pleased; to judge as it seemed right to me; to act and speak as I thought. It was tough breaking old habits and deep rooted beliefs, but praise be to God, he did this in me! My freedom to self-will has been dethroned and Jesus sits on my heart’s throne now. 

One of the tools God uses to mold us is other people. For me it was people that are closest to me in proximity and relationally – my family. Being part of small groups in my church past four years, it appears this tool is a very popular one God uses to mold his children. The other tool I didn’t see coming was other believers in the body of Christ. But God used this tool to fine-chisel me. It was a very tough process to go through especially since I couldn’t lament over this with my own husband but had to hide everything. But no worries, Jesus fills in with his comfort, grace and peace. I discovered that’s all I ever need. 

If you’ve been wounded in the body of Christ, I’m so sorry. I know, it hurts so much. Please don’t allow the enemy to displace you as a wounded soldier. Please don’t be offended in your heart. Please don’t pass up on the blessings that are released to those who pass the offense test. I testify to you that indeed there are great blessings. 

A good friend introduced me to a British deceased pastor, Derek Prince. One time when worshipping at church I saw many wounded soldiers in our body. I was grieved and surprised because if you come to our church everyone looks nice and fine. I go to a big church so unless you are in a small group everyone looks like a smiling stranger. She shared this old sermon from Derek Prince. Although the message was long and deep, I love how the Holy Spirit pointed out one key message personally for me. Derek Prince used the parallel of David carefully picking out his smooth stones by the river to kill Goliath with. He picked the stones that constantly had water flowing over them, and stones that were smoothed out by neighboring stones. In the same way, if you want Jesus to pick you to knock down a ‘Goliath’ then we must stay by the river of water and fellowship with one another. God may even choose neighboring stones to smooth you out further. Ouch! Let’s not get offended and drop out of fellowship when this happens. There’s just too many Goliaths running around these days…  

 
This is the message I heard if you want to follow the link and listen. Thank you for reading this long blog! I’m praying for you. Please pray for me too. Thank you!! -From the heart with love. 

2 Samuel 22:31 (NLT)
God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.