No Offense
Betty Heimbach
Don’t Take Offense, Don’t Give Offense
John 16:1, “These things have I spoken unto you that ye should not be offended.”
“I don’t want My children offended. So don’t take offense and don’t give offense. I’ve given you all that you need to be free of offense. Be willing to take on the role of servant. Follow the example I have shown you. Be willing to lay down your life. Lay down whatever you have are holding on to in order to demonstrate love to others. Follow My example and love others as I love you. Follow My example in loving even when others fail you, betray you, deny you or neglect you. Love with My love.
“Follow My example and do not reveal the identities of those who sin against you. Don’t reveal their sins publicly. Keep it a matter between us. Bring everything to Me in Prayer. Take their place and intercede for them while acting out My love toward them.
“Do not live in worry or fear. Do not fret over what anyone is doing or what they are not doing. Trust Me. Trust the Father, God. Do all that I have done and more.
Do greater works of service. Do greater acts of love. Ask for what you need. Ask for My love to fill you and overflow. Ask for a servant heart and then go and serve your brother and sister, your family and friends, your neighbors and the stranger in the way.
“Lay down your life and take up Mine. Lay down your life to serve others. Stay connected to Me. Draw from My wells of love. Draw from My strength. Go and love. Go and serve. Lay down your opinions, and don’t think your way is the only way, don’t try to have your own way, but do things My way. Do everything My way by allowing others to be who I’ve called them to be.
“Prefer others above yourself. Be willing to lift another up in loving service to Me, esteeming others before yourself. This is how to be free of offense. This is My plan for freedom. If you will lay your life down for others, die to your own selfish ways, your own opinions, and your own desires, then you will be dead to offense. And remember whatever you do to the least of My children you’ve done to Me.”
This verse in the RV says: “… that you should not be made to stumble.” The NLT says, “I have told you these things so that you won’t fall away.”