The Sin of Taking Offense

As we seek to build covenant community here, we are seeking to be involved in each other’s lives. This is good and right and as it should be, but whenever people get together, even Christian people get together, sin occurs. People will say and do things that are not true, good, or lovely. This is a fact. The question is not whether but when this will happen. And the only question after that is how will you deal with these situations? How will you respond when someone snubs you? How will you respond when some says something untrue or belittling about you? The gospel requires that you respond with love and kindness. This is not an option. This is not for “super-Christians.” This is the basic duty of every Christian. It is a sin to take offense even when you have been legitimately wronged. To take offense is to refuse to extend forgiveness. To take offense is to consider yourself more important than even God, who in his infinite kindness forgives us over and over and over again. When you are wronged you may not take offense, and your only options are to cover that sin with love which means to forget it and never bring it up against them again. Or your only other option is to confront the person in a spirit of gentleness and humility. You may not take offense ever, but sin must always be dealt with. Either it is covered with love or it is confronted in love. But it may never be dwelt upon, pondered, or shared with others. This must grow into a Christian reflex, returning good for evil, blessing for cursing, and kindness for wrongdoing.