DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- CLEARING OFFENSES

CLEARING OFFENSES

Matthew 18:15

“Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained a brother.”

The word, “moreover,” indicates that Jesus was still speaking on the subject of offenses which will surely come (verses 6-7). I am prone to take offense because of the actions of another person. But it is my experience that the offender does not usually know that he has caused offense. I remember a dear brother who asked my forgiveness of some ought he had against me, but I had no idea that I had caused him to be offended. But he did the right thing – he came to me about it. The best way to clear an offense – whether real or imaginary – is to go to the person and talk about it. This is not easy because I hate confrontation. But I carry a lot of extra baggage and waste a lot of emotional energy carrying unwarranted offenses. This does not always mean that the person will receive what I say because he may not acknowledge his part in the problem. There is always the possibility of the “if he hears you.” But it the first step toward clearing the offense and restoring the relationship.

TODAY’S PRINCIPLE: The best way to clear an offense is to go to the offender and talk about it.

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Have a "clear" day.   Love you.