Serve one another
“Then He said to the disciples, ‘It is impossible that no offences should come’…” Luke 17:1 NKJV
Yes, I said “just one way!” I know that most blogs are supposed to give a least 5 ways to accomplish a task and that the truly bold bloggers may offer up to 10 ways. However, this blog will do no such thing. It is my conclusion that there is only 1 true way to avoid being offended.
Nothing can destroy relationships and an individual’s life more quickly than offence. Jesus told us that it is impossible for offences not to come to us, but how we handle them determines our future. Here’s a precautionary measure each of us should take.
SERVE:
1. Servants Have No Rights
There you have it. Most of our offences come when we feel like someone has violated our rights or not given us our proper due. Since servants have no rights, they cannot be violated. Jesus came as a servant of all. The servant is not greater than his master. We should follow in His footsteps.
2. Servants Never Go Above And Beyond
So you have taken on the role of a servant, but the people you serve aren’t giving you credit for going the extra mile. I have good news! There is no such thing as a servant going the extra mile. It is expected of them to do their very best in every situation.
“And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty,” Luke 17:9-10 NLT
3. Servants Are Owed Nothing
By the very virtue of being a servant having no rights, there is nothing in particular owed to you. This goes hard against a society that feels like the very basics of life are a right instead of a privilege. Being a servant does not mean that everyone will treat you unkindly, but it does guarantee that if they do, you won’t be offended. You’re a servant. Nobody owes you anything, including, and especially, God.
4. Everything A Servant Receives Is A Blessing
OK, you find that there are some folks you serve that want to bless you. That’s alright! Furthermore, you are free from the danger of offence, because you are committed to remembering concepts 1-3. You are a servant. A little blessing isn’t going to spoil you and make you forget your role in life. Jesus served us; we serve others as unto Him. Blessings may come and blessings may go, but your role as a servant remains. If someone decides to treat you like a king, don’t forget that it’s a blessing and not a right.
5. Servant’s Eyes Are Always Focused Outward
Can anyone deny that the reason we become offended is because we have our eyes focused on ourselves. Sometimes we even do good things for others out of self-serving motives. That’s why some folks can seem to be focusing on the needs of others and get offended in the process. Somewhere in their secret thoughts, either consciously or suconsciously, they had a selfish motive for what they were doing. When we focus on the needs of others with no selfish intent, it is impossible to become offended at mistreatment.
Look at our perfect example. If anyone could and should have been offended, it would have been Jesus at the cross. He came to His own creation and was rejected and crucified by the same. If He had been expecting acknowledgement and royal treatment by those He came to serve, He would have been deeply offended. His motive, however, contained no selfishness. He did what He did for us. He came to serve.
By Pastor Phil Lemke
