August 5, 2022

Passage Read: Luke 17-18
Meditation Verse: 17:1

Thought

It is impossible to keep offenses from coming because the Lord has chosen to show mercy even on those who hate Him. He allowed the sinful to endure, because if not, no one would be saved. Some sinful people endure so that they might one day receive grace to repent and believe the Gospel. Many other endure to show the wickedness of man and the forbearance of God, until He does pass judgment and pour out His wrath and glorify His holy name. One day He will remove all offenses and everyone who causes stumbling, and the world will see what it is like to live under the righteous rule of God. It is not impossible because God cannot make it happen but because He still desires to show mercy for a bit longer.

Application

I need to accept that offenses will continue to come, and it is actually because of God's mercy on those who cause offense...people like me. Until the Lord returns, there will be men and women who do things either in their selfishness or in their desire to cause others to sin who will do things that tempt me to sin also. It is a test of my faith and commitment to obeying the Lord, and it is just because wicked people will continue to exist until the Lord returns. The only hope for some to stop sinning is the Gospel. All men need to be warned.