Praying Pint

 

 

Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!” (Luke 17:1)

At the close of the previous chapter, Jesus told the account of Lazarus and the rich man. One point of that account was that eternity is for real, and no one from the world beyond will come back to help us. Considering this, we must understand how important it is to treat other people rightly. The rich man treated Lazarus terribly (Luke 16:19-22) and suffered from that offense for all eternity.

With this in mind, Jesus spoke to His disciples about offenses. In context, it is safe to suppose that Jesus meant “real” offenses – ways that people genuinely harm each other, in more than the superficial ways some people seem to take offense today. This is real harm against another person.

The New Testament word used here for offenses is skandalon, and it comes from the word for a bent-stick – the stick that springs the trap or sets the bait. It also was used for a stumbling block, something that people trip over.

In the Bible sometimes a skandalon is good that is received wrongly – such as the way that people “trip” over Jesus, and are offended at the gospel (Romans 9:33, 1 Corinthians 1:23, Galatians 5:11).

But among brothers and sisters in Jesus, a skandalon is bad. It can be false counsel (Matthew 16:23) or leading a brother to sin by your “liberty” (Romans 14:13). Division and false teaching bring a skandalon among God’s people (Romans 16:17).

Taking the idea of offenses in a serious and not superficial way, Jesus said that it is impossible that no offenses should come. It is inevitable that people will hurt, offend, and harm one another. This has always been true. Yet, when someone genuinely harms another person, God cares and will hold that one to account.

In saying, Woe to him through whom they do come, Jesus said: “People are going to take the bait – but woe to you if you offer the hook. People are going to trip up – but woe to you if you set the stumbling block in their way.” 1 John 2:10 explains the solution to being a skandalon to others – love: He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. If we love our brother, we will not bring an offense into their life.

This is a lesson that the church learned the hard way in the centuries when many Christians felt it was their duty to “help” God and to curse the Jewish race for their rejection of the Messiah. I believe that the curse came back on the church worse than ever.

Here is a principle to live by: If someone seems ripe for the judgment or discipline of God, let God do it. Get out of the way. God doesn’t need you as an instrument of His judgment, only as an instrument of His love.

 

Hebrews 2:1-4  Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Hebrews 4:1     Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

Hebrews 10:28-29     Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.  How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

Romans 2:3     Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?

1 Thessalonians 5:3    While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Hebrews 3:10  Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’

Hebrews 4:11  Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

Hebrews 4:13  And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Truth, in its highest form, is not merely something to be understood intellectually or recited from memory. Explore the profound insight that “truth that is not experienced is no better than error, and may be fully as dangerous.” We should all challenge ourselves to examine the difference between knowing biblical principles and living them out, warning against the complacency that can settle into our spiritual lives.

Throughout history, religious leaders have sometimes fallen into the trap of teaching truths they themselves have not fully embraced or experienced. The example of the scribes who sat in Moses’ seat illustrates this well: they were not necessarily victims of doctrinal error, but of failing to internalize and live out the truths they proclaimed. This disconnect can be perilous; when truth becomes a matter of rote repetition rather than heartfelt conviction, it loses its transformative power.

One of the greatest dangers facing Christians is complacency. When individuals believe they have “arrived”—that they have reached the summit of spiritual maturity—they risk stagnation. This attitude can manifest in the habit of quoting scripture as proof of spiritual achievement, rather than as a living reality in one’s heart and life. Without genuine inward experience, even the most eloquent recitations of sacred texts become hollow and potentially misleading.

The lives of the great saints offer a powerful contrast to complacency. Far from being satisfied with their progress, these individuals were marked by an intense longing for God—a yearning that consumed them and drove them ever deeper into the mysteries of faith. Their passion propelled them to spiritual heights that many only dream of, but such heights are not reserved for a select few. They are open to all who cultivate a similar hunger for the divine.

Let us take to heart this exhortation: pray on, fight on, sing on, live in! The journey of faith is not a static one; it is marked by continual striving, seeking, and growing. We are encouraged to press on into the deep things of God, to keep our feet firmly planted in reality while allowing our hearts to soar toward those deep spiritual things of God in the depths of His Word. This balance—groundedness with aspiration—enables us to experience truth in its fullness, transforming our lives and the lives of those around us.

In summary, the danger of unexperienced truth is real and ever-present. It calls us to move beyond mere intellectual assent and into a living, breathing relationship with the truths we profess. May we resist the lure of complacency, nurture a holy longing for God, and continually press on toward deeper faith and understanding. (Tozer)

 

Matthew 11:27-30  All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Isaiah 45:22-25   “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.  By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’ “Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him.  In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.”

Isaiah 55:1-3  “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

John 6:37   All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

John 7:37  On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.

Revelation 22:17     The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Many strive to measure up, tallying their good deeds and achievements, hoping to earn favor with God based on human merit. Yet, the message of the Gospel challenges this approach. True hope is found not in self-improvement, but in faith—looking away from ourselves and toward the Lord of abundant mercy.

The temptation is strong to try to “fix ourselves” before approaching God, to present a flawless image and check every box of piety. However, the truth is that no amount of self-effort or personal perfection will ever be enough. The invitation is clear: come to Jesus just as you are.

Jesus told of two men who entered the temple to pray. One, confident in his righteousness, declared, “God, here I am—all fixed up. Every hair is in place!” The other, broken and humble, pleaded, “Oh God, I just crawled in off Skid Row. Have mercy on me!” The outcome was striking: God forgave the man who came in humility, but the self-assured man left hardened, unrepentant, and unforgiven.

We must approach God in humble repentance, acknowledging that anything we receive is not earned but given out of His boundless mercy. When a person comes with this awareness, repentance has done its proper work, preparing the heart to receive God’s forgiveness and transforming grace.

God promises to forgive and forget, embracing the repentant sinner and welcoming him into His heart. Through this act, God teaches us that every kindness is a result of His mercy, not our merit. What more could a sinner ask for than to be received, loved, and taught by the Lord Himself?

If you find yourself striving to “add up” your merits or struggling to fix yourself before coming to God, remember: the way is not through self-effort, but through humble faith. Look away from yourself and turn in faith to the Lord of abundant mercy. His arms are open to all who come in repentance and trust. (Tozer)

 

Num 32:23  But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.

Psalms 90:8     You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

Psalms 139:11    If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,”

Psalms 140:11    Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!

Proverbs 13:21    Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.

Isaiah 3:11    Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him.

Isaiah 59:1-2   Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Isaiah 59:12    For our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities:

Romans 2:9   There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,

1 Corinthians 4:5    Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

These passages above powerfully illustrate a timeless truth: no matter how well we attempt to conceal our wrongdoings, they cannot remain hidden from God. History and scripture provide sobering examples—Achan, Noah, and David—all discovered and brought to account for their transgressions. Their stories remind us that God is a witness to every act, secret or public, and that sin inevitably brings ruin, disgrace, and lasting consequences.

Sin, by its very nature, separates us from God and becomes the root of our misery. It is the cause of pain, suffering, and turmoil in our lives. Even when we attempt to cover our sins, hoping for prosperity or peace, we are met with divine assurance: “He that covered his sin shall not prosper; but he that confessed and forsakes his sins, shall find mercy.” This truth calls for honesty and humility before God, recognizing that reconciliation comes not through concealment but confession and repentance.

God cannot be reconciled to sin, and as followers, we are called to share in His hatred for sin. To truly walk with God means to loathe sin, as Jesus did, and to seek freedom from its grip. This involves a conscious effort to avoid giving sin any place in our lives, refusing to entertain the notion that God’s love permits us to hide or ignore our faults. Instead, we must be vigilant, always seeking to uproot sin from our hearts and actions.

Mercy awaits those who confess, repent, and forsake their sins. Deliverance from sin is possible, not through our efforts to hide, but through God’s grace when we face our shortcomings honestly. Let us therefore strive to hate sin as God hates it, to be dead to it, and to seek total deliverance. In doing so, we move from the pain and misery of hidden faults to the peace and joy found in God’s mercy.

Sin is the source of all our troubles, and its consequences are inevitable if left unaddressed. Yet, the path to freedom and restoration lies open to those who acknowledge their faults and turn away from them. May we heed this warning, confess, repent, and forsake our sins, and embrace the mercy that God so graciously offers.

Building upon this profound insight, we see that the underlying message is clear: secrecy and the hope of escaping consequences are among the strongest temptations that lead people into sin. When Moses confronted those suspected of wrongdoing, he didn’t just address their actions but directly challenged the very motives that emboldened them—namely, the belief that hidden sins would remain undiscovered and unpunished. By affirming that “your sin will find you out,” he emphasized that no matter how cleverly one might try to conceal their misdeeds, God’s justice ensures that the truth will ultimately be revealed and accountability will follow.

This principle extends far beyond the specific situation Moses faced; it speaks to a universal reality for all who choose a path of transgression. The assurance that hidden sins cannot escape divine notice serves as both a warning and a call to genuine repentance. Rather than relying on secrecy or expecting impunity, we are urged to confront our faults honestly, knowing that true freedom and mercy come only through confession, repentance, and forsaking sin. (Smith)

 

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

John 10:28-29  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

John 1:1-51 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ..

James 1:2-3 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Romans 4:20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,

 

 

James 1:8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Romans 7:15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

Mark 16:16  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Romans 8:39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let

Hebrews 10:14   For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

 

 

Mark 11:22-24 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Deuteronomy 28:66 Your life shall hang in doubt before you. Night and day you shall be in dread and have no assurance of your life.

1 John 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Mark 6:6 And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

Matthew 8:26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

 

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Matthew 11:4-6 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Acts 28:4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

 

 

Psalm 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

John 20:24-29 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” …

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

John 14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Job 12:2 “No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.

Mark 4:40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”