One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. So watch yourselves! (Luke 17:1-3 NLT; see THE GOSPEL: Believe God and Leave the Consequences to Him)
WOW! It would be better for a person to die than to lead another person into sin! Jesus taught this to the disciples previously, when the disciples were having a discussion among themselves which of them would be greatest. (Luke 9:46-48; Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-37) At that time, He had brought a child before them and explained that they have to accept the teaching of God just as a child would. He is now preparing them for how they are to conduct themselves and handle the Word of God after He is no longer physically on the earth. We, just like them better make sure that we do not misrepresent the Word of God to anyone, but Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15 KJV)
“If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.” (Luke 17:3-4 NLT; see THE GOSPEL: High Costs of Redemption and Forgiveness) Why is it so important for us to forgive others, especially if they ask us to, but even if they don't? If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? (I John 4:20) How we treat each other should be reflective of our relationship with God. God forgives us completely when we accept Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12) Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:18-19)
Forgiving someone does not mean allowing them to continue to take advantage of us; that would be stupid. Some relationships can't continue or remain close, but God commanded us to forgive: ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge..., but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:17-18) We are to rebuke someone if they offend us, meaning to express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their behavior or actions; and we should accept rebuke from others if we have offended them. Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool. (Proverbs 17:10) But we also must let it go, just as God has done towards us. Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12) And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. (Luke 6:31)
The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it would obey you! (Luke 17:5-6 NLT; see THE GOSPEL: Parable of the Mustard Seed and Leaven) God has given us the power to change our lives and situations, through our faith in His Son, Christ Jesus and through the power of His Holy Spirit, ...by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30) Can we really speak and move a mountain or a tree? Jesus said if we had just a little bit of faith, we could. Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” We can start by changing how we speak. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21)
First, we have to put our thoughts under subjection: ...whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8) Once we start putting the right things in, we'll start getting the right things out: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. (Matthew 15:11) Then we will be able to speak to every "mountain" and "tree" blocking our path in our life ‘May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it would obey you! Death and life are in the power of the tongue!
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:12-17) AMEN!
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