Hello! I am Amanda Wood and welcome to King of Kings’ Lenten Devotions, “Transformed in Christ”
Today is March 25th and this week we are reminded to Be Like Jesus in Dealing with Brokenness
Today’s truth that transforms is: How Quick You Are to Take Offense Indicates Spiritual Maturity
Our Scripture reading is from Ephesians 4
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
How are we “Transformed in Christ” and shaped to be more like Him?
One of the most apparent qualities of a life transformed by Christ’s love is how slowly a person takes offense when something is done against them. It is instinctive in our old nature to be defensive. We are defending our own little pride-filled world that is all about “me at the center.” That changes when we are centered on Jesus and His life living through us. Jesus forgave freely when the offenses against Him were outrageously cruel, vindictive and unjust. Jesus lived this out perfectly in our place. And still He took the punishment of our sin, even our sin of quickly taking offense and retaliating. Let’s remind ourselves to be in Christ today and not take quick offense. Recall that person that is so easy for you quickly to take offense. Release that offense and pray for them instead!
You know that saying “What happens when you assume…?” the answer involves the spelling of the word but today we’ll just say usually you’re humbled, at least that is usually the boat I am in.
I don’t think of myself as a person who easily takes offense, but my eyes were opened when I got married. The process of invitations and RSVP’s can be a nightmare, and for me, a COVID bride, it was dreadful. With a postponement and the constant changing of information related to COVID, people would be in, then out, then in again. So much so, I got a cancellation even the night before the wedding.
Looking back, I can blame no one. For 99% of us, it is our first pandemic.
Weeks after the wedding, I was still hurt and offended at some friends. Not that they couldn’t or didn’t come, but that I didn’t hear from them at all.
No card, no call, not even a text.
One friend stood out; I couldn’t shake the frustration. However, I came to find out that she and her husband were grieving a miscarriage. I was dumbfounded. I was so wrapped up in my world, my hurt, my missed expectations. All the while, they were experiencing a devastating loss.
I immediately prayed over them and reached out to her. Thankfully in that moment, truth transformed my heart. I am grateful for the grace of the gospel, that Jesus can take my offense and brokenness and redeem it all.
Just as Jesus does, he uses everything. After all that, it ended up being a sweet re-connection with my friend and fast forward, we both birthed beautiful boys in 2021 just a month apart!