As Many as I Love I Chasten

Jesus Warns of Offenses

(Matt. 18:6, 7; Mark 9:42 )

Luke 17v1-4

1¶Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!

2“It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

3“Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

4“And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

Don't you love the words of Jesus? They are full of wisdom and truth.

Jesus always provides such balance when he speaks to us through His Word.

He's basically saying it is inevitable that offences will come. We have all encountered offences and stumbling blocks throughout our lives and will more than likely do so in the future. So Jesus' statement is  truthful and pragmatic.

However He also issues a stern warning.

Woe unto him or her who is the source of the offences.

There are two Greek words used in v1 and v2 for offences and offend.

The first is the word skandalon

(Strong's g4625)

and it means a stick for bait (of a trap), generally a snare, a stumbling block, an offense.

Origin: Scandal; probably from a derivative of kampto; a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e. Snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin).

- Usage: occasion to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing that offends, stumblingblock.

The second is skandalizó

(Strong's g4624)

and means to cause to stumble, cause to sin, cause to become indignant, shock, offend.

- Origin: From skandalon; to entrap, i.e. Trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure).

- Usage: (make to) offend.

The root word is where we get the word "scandal" from in English.

The first word speaks of placing a stumbling block in someone's way which causes them to fall or causes offence.

However the second word in v2 goes further and not only means to cause to stumble or sin but also means to cause to become indignant, to shock, to offend.

Jesus says it's better for the one who is the source of the offence to have a millstone tied around their neck and cast into the sea than to cause one of His little ones to stumble, sin, become indignant or be shocked and offended.

In my mind this means it's a serious thing and something we shouldn't treat lightly.

We have all caused offence at some time I'm sure, maybe unintentionally but no matter whether intentionally or not we should strive to love one another.

If we love one another as we are commanded in scripture then we would never set out intentionally to put a stumbling block in the way of anyone.

Unfortunately, many bare the scars and hurts of offences and stumbling blocks through Christians acting in the flesh and speaking harsh and destructive words, behaving in an unseemly manner and in a way that puts stumbling blocks in the way of other members of the Body of Christ or those outside of the Body.

At the root of such behaviour are the works of the flesh, including the desire to manipulate, intimidate and control others (witchcraft), jealousy, envy, strife, seditions, murders, variance Colossians 5v20&21 as opposed to the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness and humility v22&23.

The Need for Doctrinal Balance

You see, as is often the case in the Body of Christ, we are out of balance and a little lopsided in our thinking.

We major and focus on forgiveness (which of course is extremely important and a definite scriptural imperative) but often forget to focus on the fact that an offence or stumbling block has caused pain, indignation and hurt to someone.

However, Jesus is clear, we should not cause another person to stumble or fall because of our actions, words or behaviours.

Actions have definite consequences. If we act badly and hurt others there are repercussions on both sides.

Surely, we must keep short accounts and if we have caused offence or been the cause of someone stumbling, then we need to be humble enough to admit our wrongdoing and make things right?

Time is so short and it is imperative that we walk in love and are humble with one another.

We all make mistakes. Its when we won't admit we have made a mistake that it can lead to greater offence and a deeper indignation from the one we have offended.

If we are walking in love towards God and our neighbour (thus fulfilling the 10 commandments) then we will not offend or hurt anyone by our actions or words.

In James 2 the apostle rebukes the brethren for acting with partiality and showing favouritism towards the rich and in doing so discriminating against the poor.

v8&9 says

8¶If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;

9but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Loving our neighbour is the royal law.

Therefore if we mistreat people by merely using them for our own benefit and despise them and disrespect them by our actions and words then we are breaking the commandment.

John 13v34&35

34“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

35“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Verses 3 and 4 of Luke 17 again demonstrate the wonderful balance in Jesus's teaching.

How Should We Deal with Offences According to Scripture?

If someone wrongs us or sins against us, then there are 3 things that should happen:

1. Rebuke

2. Repentance

3. Reconciliation through forgiveness

Rebuke like repentance is a dirty word in the modern church and it's preaching. As I have said many times we want to hear what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear.

If this is the case then its exposes our immaturity and pride.

A child does not like to be reproved or scolded but as parents we know how important it is to discipline our children and teach them right from wrong. We don't enjoy it and would prefer not too, if we had the choice but if we truly love our children then we will be in balance and will praise them when it is appropriate but also discipline when necessary.

In fact scripture supports what I've just said.

The Purpose of Discipline

Hebrews 12v5-11

5And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,

Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

6For whom the LORD loves He chastens,

And scourges every son whom He receives.”

7¶If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

8But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

9Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

10For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

11Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

There is so much truth in these verses but I want to share the purpose of discipline and reproof.

1. It demonstrates how much God loves us.

2. It is proof that we are His children, sons and daughters of Jehovah and not illegitimate

3.  It teaches us reverence and instills within us a holy fear of God

4. It causes us to be in subjection to God

5. It causes us to be partakers of His holiness and very character

6. It produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness in our lives

Revelation 3v19 says

19“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Do you see how these verses in Hebrews compare the correction a father will administer to his children in the natural as a reflection of how God corrects and disciplines us as His children?

God does not raise spoiled children, contrary to what the seeker friendly and prosperity gospel teaches.

He loves us and because He does, it follows, that He will not give us what we want when we want it. No! He will give us what is most profitable for our growth and in order to build character and bring us to a place of maturity. He is more focused on making us fit for and effective in His Kingdom.

We are called to be disciples which literally means "a learner or one who learns" , yet the modern church is more like a kindergarten and a lot of Christians haven't got any further than playing in the sandbox and are still in spiritual nappies.

Notice the last part if v11

"to those who have been trained by it".

KJV says exercised instead of trained.

The reality is, that we can refuse to be trained or exercised by discipline. We can harden our hearts when we are reproved and corrected by God.

Are we like the child in this picture when we are reproved?

This is a dangerous place to be in. If we refuse the correction what happens to us in our walk with God? The truth is, we will be living in rebellion and disobedience and the more we harden our hearts then the more desensitised we become to God's voice and word.

Jesus, in the Great Commission, said to make disciples of all nations by teaching them to observe everything He had commanded Matthew 28v19&20.

He didn't say to make converts or church goers. He didn't say to make Presbyterians, Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Baptists, Pentecostals etc.

Yet that is the very thing the denominational church system has done.

We are to make disciples by teaching them the whole counsel of God. "Whatsoever I have commanded you".

We don't take out the bits we don't like or that don't align with our denominational edicts and doctrines. No our denominational doctrines are meant to align with what the Word of God says and teaches not the other way around.

For example infant baptism is not taught in scripture but certain denominations have put their tradition above the truth of God's Word and in doing so have made the Word of God ineffective.

Again, those who are cessationist in their theology and believe that miracles, the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the supernatural power of God stopped with the early church and the Apostles esteem their own theological position above God's inerrant Word.

Disciples are those who learn and submit to the teachings of the Word of God and are willing to reject their denominations theological position in order to obey and follow Christ.

The Source of Reproof and Correction

2 Timothy 3v16&17

16¶All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Lord reproves, rebukes and corrects us through His precious Word.

The Greek word for reproof is "elegchos" (Strong's g1650) and means reproof or conviction.

The Greek word for correction is "epanorthósis" (Strong's g1882)

and means:

correction, reformation, setting straight (right) again.

Origin: From a compound of epi and anorthoo; a straightening up again, i.e. (figuratively) rectification (reformation).

The Word of God sets us straight again. It rectifies and reforms us as we yield to it and submit to it's correcting work in our lives.

If we don't submit to the correction then scripture gives clear examples of how God deals with a people who harden their hearts and walk in open rebellion.

In 2 Chronicles 36 from v11 on we read that King Zedekiah refused to humble himself before the prophet Jeremiah who delivered the very word of the Lord (KJV says "speaking from the mouth of the Lord") v12

"He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart from turning unto the Lord God of Israel" v13

The chief priests (church leaders in our day) also rebelled and sinned against the Lord and God in His love and mercy sent messengers to correct, rebuke and warn them to turn from their rebellious ways and repent.

v16 tells us how they responded to the message

But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy.

Until there was no remedy! A line had been crossed and God's long-suffering and patience had ran out.

Proverbs 29v1

1¶He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,

Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

As a punishment for rejecting the message of reproof and correction, the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar, who killed their young men in the temple and showed no compassion for the young or old. He also ransacked the temple, taking it's treasures before burning it to the ground and taking the remainder of the people into captivity in Babylon.

You see we have bought the lie that God doesn't judge rebellion anymore. Gentle Jesus, meek and mild would never do that to His people.

God is a God of immense, infinite and incomprehensible love but He is also a Holy God who judges rebellion and sin.

1 Peter 4v17&18

17¶For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

18Now

“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,

Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

The Lord will rebuke, correct and reprimand us when we do wrong. First through His Word and then if we will not humble ourselves through circumstances and trouble.

The imperative of forgiveness does not give us the freedom to offend or put a stumbling block in the way of others.

There are repercussions.

Luke 17v3 says that if a brother sins against us then on the basis of scripture we have the right to rebuke that brother.

The Psalmist David said in Psalm 141v5

5Let the righteous strike me;

It shall be a kindness.

And let him rebuke me;

It shall be as excellent oil;

Let my head not refuse it.

For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.

These are the words and heart of a humble and righteous man who wants to please God.

Let the righteous smite me and rebuke me because its a kindness and precious oil. If I need rebuke, then I prefer that someone is honest with me and loves me enough to reprove me because in the long run it will do me good.

Proverbs 27v5&6 says

5Open rebuke is better than secret love.

6Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

If the church was in a mature state, both at an individual and corporate level, then we would be humble enough to accept reproof when required and respond in lowliness of mind by admitting we have done wrong.

Such humility would lead to repentance and also restitution.

Repentance and Restitution

These are words which are an anathema to our generation.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary:

Definition of restitution

1: an act of restoring or a condition of being restored: such as

a: a restoration of something to its rightful owner

b: a making good of or giving an equivalent for some injury

In Luke 17v3 Jesus says to rebuke a brother and if he repent forgive him. There is an onus on the offender to repent.

I believe that repentance in many cases also means to make restitution, to restore that which has been lost through the offence or wrongdoing. Again the onus is on the offender.

In 2 Corinthians 7v8-16 Paul refers to the letter of rebuke he wrote to the church at Corinth and said how it made them sorry after a godly manner.

You see they received the rebuke with humility and repented accordingly.

v10&11

10For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted (to be repented of) ; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

11For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Jesus rebukes five out of the seven churches in Revelation 2&3 and commands them to repent:

1. The church at Ephesus 2v5

2. The church at Pergamos 2v16

3. The church at Thyatira 2v22

4. The church at Sardis 3v3

5. The church at Laodicea 3v19

We are told that judgement begins at the house of God 1 Peter 4v17.

In Hebrews 12v27 we are told that God will shake everything that only that which cannot be shaken will remain. I believe that shaking has started in the church and world as we approach His soon return.

v27&28 admonishes us

28¶Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we mayfn serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

29For our God is a consuming fire.

Where is the holy fear and reverence in us God's people. I honestly believe if we were walking in the fear of the Lord most of the nonsense that goes on would stop and the lack of love and compassion which leads to offences, hurts and inexcusable behaviour would cease.

Remember the judgement against Ananias and Sapphira who were struck down by the Lord and died because they lied to the Holy Ghost Acts 5v1-11

11So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Unfortunately we are seeing one of the signs that Jesus told us would happen before His return in Matthew 24

The love of many waxing cold as a result of iniquity or lawlessness abounding. v12

The Imperative of Forgiveness

Again and again we are admonished in scripture to forgive those who have sinned against us.

In this passage in Luke 17 we are told to forgive even if our brother repents seven times in the day v4.

In the Lord's prayer we are told that God forgives our debts and sins even as we forgive our debtors Matthew 6v12

In Matthew 6v14&15 it says

14¶“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15“But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

In Matthew 5v23&24 we are told that if our brother has something against us we are to told to go to them in order to resolve the matter and to be reconciled.

Just as repentance and restitution go together so does forgiveness and reconciliation.

We are told to love our enemy and not to seek revenge Romans 12v17-21.

In Ephesians 4v31&32

31Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

32And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Notice v32 says be kind to one another and tenderhearted before saying forgiving one another.

Let's fulfil the royal law and love one another with and through the love of Christ.

If we have wronged someone let's be humble enough to make it right and repent and be reconciled.

If we have been wronged we have the right to rebuke whoever has wronged us but we must also walk in forgiveness, not in bitterness. Bitterness will eat at us like a cancer. So for our own wellbeing and in obedience to God's Word let's forgive one another even as Christ forgave us.

Let's endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Ephesians 4v3 and love one another, with humbleness of mind, forbearing one another and forgiving one another. Colossians 3v12-17.

If we do this we will not put stumbling blocks in the way of others, we will not hurt or wound one another but we be tenderhearted, kind and an encouragement to one another.

By this shall all men know you are my disciples if you love one another. John 13v35.