Offense, Fragrance and Incense!

Incense, Fragrance and Offense!

 Offense 

Then He said to the disciples, 

"It is impossible that no offenses should come, 

but woe to him through whom they do come! 

It would be better for him 

if a millstone were hung around his neck, 

and he were thrown into the sea, 

than that he should offend one of these little ones. 

Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 

And if he sins against you seven times in a day, 

and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 

'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

Luke 17:1-4

 

Offense is like a stumbling block or a snare.

off end  - pushing another off the end, causing him to stumble or fall - fall from the path of righteousness in CHRIST!

Don't offend others - don't speak words or behave in a manner that causes confusion or deception especially to children, the innocent, weak or young believers. 

Overcome all offense by freely forgiving and living in love.

 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, 

is in darkness until now. 

He who loves his brother abides in the light, 

and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
1 John 2:9-10

 "You have heard that it was said, '

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 

But I tell you not to resist an evil person. 

But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, 

turn the other to him also.

"You have heard that it was said,

'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 

But I say to you, love your enemies, 

bless those who curse you, 

do good to those who hate you, 

and pray for those who spitefully use you 

and persecute you,

Matthew 5:38-39, 43-44

Stand firm in faith and don't let yourself get 'off ended' by anyone! Don't take offense by what others say or do. freely release forgiveness to all who cause offense.

                           Great peace have those who love Your law, 

And nothing causes them to stumble.

Psalm 119:165

                             

  %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%          

 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 

so that as sin reigned in death, 

even so grace might reign through righteousness 

to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:20-21

The law exposes offences but grace covers sin. 

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

 When they had come to Capernaum, 

those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?" 

 He said, "Yes." And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, 

"What do you think, Simon? 

From whom do the kings of the earth 

take customs or taxes, 

from their sons or from strangers?" Peter said to Him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, 

"Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, 

and take the fish that comes up first. 

And when you have opened its mouth, 

you will find a piece of money; 

take that and give it to them for Me and you."

Matthew 17:24-27

Although JESUS did not need to, yet He paid the temple tax, so that He would cause no offense. 

People are more important than food and money. 

GOD's law is love from a pure heart.

 

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, 

either to the Jews or to the Greeks 

or to the church of God, 

just as I also please all men in all things, 

not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, 

that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 10:31-33

It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine 

nor do anything by which your brother stumbles 

or is offended or is made weak.

Romans 14:21

The way we dress and behave, should not cause offense to others. That is how we live in love.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

A man should not allow himself to be stumbled by looking lustfully at a woman. A woman should not stumble a man by her indecent dress or behaviour.

 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, '

You shall not commit adultery.' 

 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman 

to lust for her has already committed adultery with her 

in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, 

pluck it out and cast it from you; 

for it is more profitable for you 

that one of your members perish, 

than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 

 And if your right hand causes you to sin, 

cut it off and cast it from you; 

for it is more profitable for you 

that one of your members perish, 

than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Matthew 5:27-30

I must not think of my profit when it comes to loving others. Love helps another in his journey of faith and does not stumble him in any way. Before doing whatever I might like to do, I must ask myself, "Will this stumble someone?"

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

 And when He had come to His own country, 

He taught them in their synagogue, 

so that they were astonished and said, 

"Where did this Man get this wisdom 

and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, 

are they not all with us? 

Where then did this Man get all these things?" 

So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, 

"A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." 

Now He did not do many mighty works there 

because of their unbelief.

Matthew 13:54-58

Truth is unchangable and is eternal.  It is radical. JESUS is the Truth.

Those who are not open to know the Truth and receive the Truth, will be offended by the Truth.

He will be as a sanctuary, 

But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense 

To both the houses of Israel, 

As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Isaiah 8:14

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, 

to the Jews a stumbling block 

and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God 

and the wisdom of God. 

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, 

and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Corinthians 1:22-25

 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, 

"Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him 

will by no means be put to shame." 

Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; 

but to those who are disobedient, 

"The stone which the builders rejected 

Has become the chief cornerstone," 

and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." 

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, 

to which they also were appointed.

1 Peter 2:6-8

And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, 

why do I still suffer persecution? 

Then the offense of the cross has ceased.

Galatians 5:11

The Power of the Gospel of CHRIST, that is -  the message of the Cross of CHRIST, forgiveness and cleansing of sins by the Blood of JESUS and salvation given freely by Grace through Faith alone - is offensive to those who do not believe, and to those who walk according to the wisdom of the world and also to those who try to justify themselves by keeping the law.  

 You have become estranged from Christ, 

you who attempt to be justified by law; 

you have fallen from grace. 

For we through the Spirit eagerly wait 

for the hope of righteousness by faith. 

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision 

nor uncircumcision avails anything, 

but faith working through love.

Galatians 5:4-6  

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, 

for it is the power of God to salvation 

for everyone who believes, 

for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed 

from faith to faith; as it is written, 

"The just shall live by faith."

Romans 1:16-17

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

 The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?" 

 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man 

and drink His blood, you have no life in you.

 When Jesus knew in Himself 

that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend you? 

What then if you should see the Son of Man 

ascend where He was before? 

 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. 

The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

John 6:52-53, 61-63

When JESUS spoke about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, the Jews were very offended because their law prohibited them from eating the blood of any animal. They did not understand that the blood of JESUS, symbolising His life that would be given for them, if received into their lives, would give them spiritual life that would be eternal!

 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples 

that He must go to Jerusalem, 

and suffer many things 

from the elders and chief priests and scribes, 

and be killed, 

and be raised the third day. 

 Then Peter took Him aside 

and began to rebuke Him, saying, 

"Far be it from You, Lord; 

this shall not happen to You!" 

 But He turned and said to Peter, 

"Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, 

for you are not mindful of the things of God, 

but the things of men."

Matthew 16:21-23

Peter became an offense to JESUS when he spoke and acted contrary to GOD's plan of salvation through Him. It was as though Peter stood in front of the LORD trying to block His forward move according to GOD's plan! At that point, Peter became a tool of Satan. 

As followers of JESUS, Who endured much suffering for our sake, we must be willing to suffer for His sake.

Those of us, who are believers, must diligently seek the mind of the LORD and follow Him, so that we are not an offense to Him by being a hindrance to the progress of GOD's Kingdom.

For if by the one man's offense 

death reigned through the one, 

much more those who receive abundance of grace 

and of the gift of righteousness 

will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

..who was delivered up because of our offenses, 

and was raised because of our justification.

Romans 4:17, 25

All offenses were dealt with by our LORD at the cross. Therefore receiving the gift of righeousness given by grace, and living in newness of life in CHRIST, we overcome all offences to live victoriously!

May GOD grant us His grace to live without offense. We will not be counted responsible for those who get offended by our walk in the Truth!

 And this I pray, that your love may abound 

still more and more 

in knowledge and all discernment, 

that you may approve the things that are excellent, 

that you may be sincere and without offense 

till the day of Christ, 

being filled with the fruits of righteousness 

which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11

 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, 

And to present you faultless 

Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 

To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, 

Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, 

Both now and forever. Amen.

Jude 1:24-25

Fragrance

 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us 

and given Himself for us, 

an offering and a sacrifice to God 

for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Ephesians 5:1-2

CHRIST's sacrifice of Himself to GOD for us, was a sweet-smelling aroma!

When I give myself to GOD to be His instrument of love, willing to be crushed of my selfish ways, my life also becomes a 'Fragrance Diffuser' that draws people through me to GOD! 

 Now thanks be to God 

who always leads us in triumph in Christ, 

and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 

2 Corinthians 2:14

 Incense

Now when He had taken the scroll, 

the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders 

fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, 

and golden bowls full of incense, 

which are the prayers of the saints. 

And they sang a new song, saying: 

"You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; 

For You were slain, 

And have redeemed us to God by Your blood 

Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 

And have made us kings and priests to our God; 

And we shall reign on the earth."

Revelation 5:8-10

 Through a life of absolute surrender to GOD in worship and through intercession, we rule on this earth as kings and priests to our GOD! 

 Then another angel, having a golden censer, 

came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, 

that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints 

upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 

 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. 

 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, 

and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, 

thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. 

 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets 

prepared themselves to sound.

Revelation 8:3-6

Our prayers that are acoording to GOD's will, ascend to the throne of GOD as incense, bringing answers to the earth.

May our lives not be offensive, but fragrant, emanating the love and beauty of the LORD JESUS. May we surrender our will to GOD, so that our prayers may ascend to the very throne room of the Almighty GOD, bringing answers down to the earth!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

REDEMPTION

 

REDEMPTION

  But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,

And He who formed you, O Israel:

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name;

You are Mine.

Isaiah 43:1

Imagine an evil person speaks deceptively to your child and coerces him to follow him. Inspite of clear instruction, your child gets tempted and deceived and follows the evil person. Wouldn't you harshly punish the wicked man and make him pay for taking your child? Wouldn't you be angry with your child and firmly discipline and correct him for being disobedient to you and following a stranger? Would you give money to the evil man to return your child to you? 

We rightfully belong to the One Who created us and formed us. When we fell away into the hand of the enemy, we were under the wrath of GOD, destined for eternal doom.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23

The devil who deceitfully took us away from GOD has his eternal punishment sealed in hell.

We needed to pay with our life to return to GOD. With our sinful nature, we could never pay a sufficient price to GOD to be saved from His eternal wrath.

 Why should I fear in the days of evil, 

When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me? 

Those who trust in their wealth 

And boast in the multitude of their riches, 

None of them can by any means redeem his brother, 

Nor give to God a ransom for him-

- For the redemption of their souls is costly, 

And it shall cease forever-- 

That he should continue to live eternally, 

And not see the Pit.

Psalm 49:5-9

GOD took it upon Himself to pay that price to buy us back to Himself, our rightful owner. GOD sent His Son in the flesh to the world as the ransom price for all of mankind.

For the wages of sin is death, 

but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, 

He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, 

And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. 

He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. 

By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, 

For He shall bear their iniquities.

Isaiah 53:10-11

The ransom had to be paid to GOD and not to the devil. We needed to pay the ransom to GOD because we strayed from Him and brought about His wrath on ourselves. We needed to pay with our own lives.

Not with the blood of goats and calves,

but with His own blood

He entered the Most Holy Place once for all,

having obtained eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:12

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things,

like silver or gold,

from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

1 Peter 1:18-19

We were under the wrath of GOD and could not be delivered any other way. In olden times, people had to be redeemed with money or the blood of a lamb, until JESUS came and payed the ransom to GOD. The willingness of JESUS to obey His Father to the point of death, even the death of the cross, appeased GOD's wrath. Now, He is the author of eternal salvation from the wrath of GOD to all who obey Him.

 Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, 

and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law), then He said, 

"Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." 

He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 

 By that will we have been sanctified 

through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:8-10

Therefore we must also surrender our will to the LORD in worship. We come under the favour of GOD when we live in obedience to JESUS CHRIST. We have no right to live our own lives, but in obedience to CHRIST. We must die to self so that JESUS may live through us.

"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,

For He has visited and redeemed His people,

Luke 1:68

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Psalm 103:1-4

We must be grateful to GOD for redeming us from destruction.

*****************************

 O Israel, hope in the Lord; For with the Lord there is mercy, 

And with Him is abundant redemption. 

And He shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities.

Psalm 130:7-8

He redeems us from the bondage of our iniquities. 
We don't live in sin anymore.

He saved them from the hand of him who hated them,

And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

Psalm 106:10

We have been redeemed from the hand of our enemy, the devil!
We don't fear the devil!

But when the fullness of the time had come, 

God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 

to redeem those who were under the law, 

that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:4-5

We have been redeemed from being in bondage to sin 

and to the law, to be adopted as sons of GOD! 

He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; 

And precious shall be their blood in His sight.

Psalm 72:14

We are redeemed from oppression and violence. 

There continues to be oppression and violence in this world, which is under the sway of the devil. 

We have been redeemed to overcome, 
and not partake in such evil.

who gave Himself for us, 

that He might redeem us from every lawless deed 

and purify for Himself His own special people, 

zealous for good works.

Titus 2:14

We have been redeemed from every lawless deed 
to be pure as GOD's people, zealous for good works.

 Or do you not know 

that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, 

whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

 For you were bought at a price; 

therefore glorify God in your body 

and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

We have been bought at a price, 

to glorify GOD in our body and our spirit.

 

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, 

For He shall receive me. Selah

Psalm 49:15

We are redeemed from the power of the grave. 
We need have no fear of death!

You in Your mercy have led forth The people 

whom You have redeemed; 

You have guided them in Your strength To Your holy habitation.

Exodus 15:13

We have been redeemed and are being guided 

to GOD's holy habitation!
What a blessed hope we have as His redeemed!

Therefore we must live, redeeming the time that has been given to us, by giving time for eternal purposes.

We must set our mind on things above and not on things of this world. We must constantly change our mindsets from carnal and soulish to spiritual. This we do by meditating on Scripture and praying and speaking to the LORD continually.

redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:16

Now when these things begin to happen,

look up and lift up your heads,

because your redemption draws near."

Luke 21:28

Our final redemption:

Not only that,

but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,

even we ourselves groan within ourselves,

eagerly waiting for the adoption,

the redemption of our body.

Romans 8:23

When we leave this earth to enter the presence of GOD,

our bodies will be transformed to celestial bodies!

And they sang a new song, saying:

"You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals;

For You were slain,

And have redeemed us to God by Your blood

Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

Revelation 5:9