BEING HAUNTED BY THE “GHOST”

OF OFFENSE

What does “offense” mean?An offense is something that causes a person to be hurt,

angry or upset.

A brother offended is harder to win over than a fortified city, and

contentions [separating families] are like the

bars of a castle. (Proverbs 18:19 – AmpLifed Bible)

The ghost of offense divides us

The ghost of offense discourages us

The ghost of offense damages us

Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, and it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense

without seeking revenge and harboring resentment.

(Proverbs 19:11 – AmpLified Bible)

If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has

made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit

means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care . . .

agree with each other, love each other,

be deep-spirited friends. (Philippians 2:1-2 – The Message)

When we think of the cross, we think of Easter – but we really

should be thinking of Christmas. The shape of the

cross itself – the vertical beam representing our relationship

with God

and the horizontal beam representing our relationship with each other - symbolize

reconciliation. The true meaning and message of Christmas is all

about reconciliation.

The very reason God sent Jesus into the world was so that our

relationships with God and with others could be restored.

Christmas is about restoring relationships and many of us have relationships that need

mending.

God wants us to value relationships and make every

effort to maintain them instead of discarding them whenever

there is a rift, a hurt or a conflict.

Jesus was born so that we could be reconciled to God (vertically) and

reconciled to each other (horizontally).

ONE THING BANISHES THE “GHOST” OF

OFFENSE: FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness is remembering how much

you’ve been forgiven

Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as

quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ

forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 – The Message)

Forgiveness is refusing to let past offenses control

you

Only fools get angry quickly and hold a grudge.

(Ecclesiastes 7:9 – Contemporary English Version)

Forgiveness is relinquishing your right to

get even

Never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said

that he will repay those who deserve it. (Romans 12:19 – Living

Bible)

Forgiveness is always responding to evil with

good

Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,

pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28 – New International Version)

Forgiveness is restoration and second chances

Those who refuse to admit their mistakes can never be successful. But if they confess them & forsake

them, they should always get another chance.

(Proverbs 28:13 – The Living Bible)

Forgiveness is repeating the process as long as

necessary

Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me?

Seven times.” “No, not seven times”, Jesus replied, “but seventy times

seven!” (Matthew 18:21-22 New Living Translation)

At the first Christmas, the angels announced, “Peace

on earth, goodwill among men.” In other words, Christmas is a

time for reconciliation, for forgiving and for restoring

broken relationships.

One of the best ways to celebrate the true meaning and

message of Christmas is to promote peace.

Our world desperately needs peace. Wars are never-ending. All around us we see broken

relationships.

Our family get-togethers during the holidays are often marred

by strife. This year as we prepare for Christmas, let us

work at making peace.

God blesses those who work to make peace between people. (Matthew 5:9 – Worldwide English)

Peace

Erases

All

Conflict

Effectively

Let’s Pray