MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Saturday June 27,
2020
Topic: The Key to Brotherly Relationship
Text: Luke 17:1 – 3
Here
in our Bible text for the day, Jesus teaches us that giving of offences is a
great sin which we should avoid and carefully watch against. The expression
“offences” is a translation of a Greek term which means “stumbling blocks.” The
term originally referred to the trigger that springs a trap; then the word came
to refer to anything that causes one to sin.
Jesus
emphatically warns that these stumbling blocks are sure to occur. Nonetheless,
He pronounced a woe upon those that place these offences which cause people to
sin. He suggests that death by drowning would be preferable rather than to
offend one of these little ones.
Do
you place offences (stumbling blocks) on people’s way by the words of your
mouth; by your dressing and appearance, by your reactions, by your quest for
wealth, by your pride and arrogance, and by your immoral life? Repent today
before God’s anger will visit you.
Nevertheless,
God expects us to forgive one another for us to maintain and sustain brotherly
love among us. Why did Jesus say so? Because we can be tempted to revenge
against people who puts stumbling blocks on our ways. We should understand that
vengeance is of the Lord (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30).
Jesus stresses forgiveness which precedes
rebuke and repentance. You shouldn’t expect people to forgive you when you are
not willing to repent. We should note that to fall often into the same offence
against our brother is a great aggravation of our offences. Therefore, beware
because when it is repeated, it means it is deliberate.
Food for Thought: Forgiving multiplication of offences is demonstration of God’s
like temper in us.
Memory verse:
Luke 17:3
Prayer:
Lord, grant me the heart to forgive those who offend me no matter the number of
times they do it in Jesus name.
Pray also for me as I celebrate 21 years of my
ordination into the Holy Order today.
