Paul prays that the Church would not only be sincere but that they would also be without offense…
…that you may be sincere and without offense until the day of Christ.
Sincere means to be free from pretense or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings — “Clean, Pure.”
An offense is a breach of a law or rule — “A strike against, a hurt, or a displeasure”
Being Sincere in our faith is to have a genuine love and desire for God. Deep down we are saying ‘yes’ to Him and to eternal life.
Being without offense - or living holy - is different than sincerity. It is to actually walk out our love for God through practical obedience, holiness and a servant’s heart. It is fighting the good fight.
Anything we desire in life has to have a practical application and must take place in real time and space.
Yet how often do we consider our inward sincerity as holiness?
Our sincerity for God must be practically applied by living a life that is without offense.
May we not strike against God while thinking we are righteous.
Discovery. Expression. Interaction. Life. » Sincere and Without Offense said:
[…] After reading Shawn Blanc’s take on this verse, I’ve been thinking on what it means to be “sincere…till the day of Christ”. Surely sincerity is honesty, and integrity, and authenticity. Sincerity is not doing something with false motives or with a manipulated spirit. One might even be sincerely wrong about something, but they would still be sincere. […]
Posted on February 2, 2007 at 10:49 am
Josh said:
Good Word Shawn. I personally think that offense is the biggest problem in the church today. Everyone (us) is so busy with our issues and dislikes of others that nobody has an ear to hear God. We value our own opinion far, far above God’s commands.
When the Lord is able to work the spirit of offense out of us, I believe the testimony of Jesus (spirit of prophecy) will be raised so high, we won’t even be able to comprehend it. I truly believe this. When we shut out other’s and our own voices, and fill ourselves with the Word of God, we WILL hear the voice of God clearly, and WILL walk according to the Spirit.
Posted on February 2, 2007 at 10:50 am
Ruth said:
Cool.
I like what it says in 1Cor1:8 It says over there that Jesus is faithful to keep us blameless on the day of His coming. I think that if we are sincere, Jesus Himself is the one to keep us without offense. In that i’m saying that if we rely on His faithfulness more than we rely on ours He will keep us without offense. I’ve heard this statement numerous times “the strength of our commitment to Him, is His commitment to us” not in the exact same words, this is my paraphrase…
anyways..but do you think, Shawn, that there is an “if” (like: if we are sincere for example, He will keep us blameless..) to a verse like 1 Cor 1:8 which pretty much is the same as the one you pointed out here?
Posted on February 2, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Shawn said:
@ Josh: I like what you’re saying. Holiness is the road to deeper partnership with God. It’s the doorway to enjoyable prayer.
Posted on February 2, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Shawn said:
@ Ruth: You’re touching on such an amazing reality: God’s committment to us! He is more committed to bringing us into maturity than we are about getting there. I’m so glad you brought this up.
It’s this committment to bring us into maturity and holiness that is one of the biggest players durring the end-times. It will be a time where the Lord removes all of the props that we lean on and all of the hidden sins in our lives and we are forced to choose Him or turn away in offense.
This is necessary to fulfill His promise that we will be pure and spotless on the day of His coming.
Regarding your statement: “if we are sincere for example, He wil keep us blameless” I don’t know if it is that cut and dry. Being sincere is a jorney not just a state of existence. If we are faithful to push on in our journey of knowing God and delighting in Him as we grow in love and obedience and service then yes, He will keep us blameless because we’re under the blood (which is the real standard for holiness anyways. There’s nothing we can do to get there other than receive).
Posted on February 2, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Esther said:
I took this part about offense as asking God to keep me from being offended - offended at His ways that I don’t understand; offended at or b/c of others attitudes or actions; it’s like a plea to help me stay in the fear of the Lord and go His way at all costs. It’s a revelation of being poor in spirit - I can’t do this on my own. I don’t want to be offended, I want to operate in the Kingdom of God in the way that is acceptable to God. Does that make sense and is it what you are talking about?
Posted on February 3, 2007 at 1:51 am
Ruth said:
Eye agree
“Being sincere is a jorney not just a state of existence…He will keep us blameless because we’re under the blood (which is the real standard for holiness anyways. There’s nothing we can do to get there other than receive)”
Posted on February 3, 2007 at 6:41 am
Shawn said:
@ Esther: What you brought up isn’t exactly what I’m talking about, but is a valid issue. There are several ways to ‘be without offense’.
1. Being a person of no resistance for God
2. Not being offended at God
3. Not being offended at others or at circumstances
All three of these are important and part of living in blamelessness.
Posted on February 3, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Micky said:
About 3 years ago I dropped into a black hole – four months of absolute terror. I wanted to end my life, but somehow [Holy Spirit], I reached out to a friend who took me to hospital. I had three visits [hospital] in four months – I actually thought I was in hell. I imagine I was going through some sort of metamorphosis [mental, physical & spiritual]. I had been seeing a therapist [1994] on a regular basis, up until this point in time. I actually thought I would be locked away – but the hospital staff was very supportive [I had no control over my process]. I was released from hospital 16th September 1994, but my fear, pain & shame had only subsided a little. I remember this particular morning waking up [home] & my process would start up again [fear, pain, & shame]. No one could help me, not even my therapist [I was terrified]. I asked Jesus Christ to have mercy on me & forgive me my sins. Slowly, all my fear has dissipated & I believe Jesus delivered me from my “psychological prison.” I am a practicing Catholic & the Holy Spirit is my friend & strength; every day since then has been a joy & blessing. I deserve to go to hell for the life I have led, but Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross, delivered me from my inequities. John 3: 8, John 15: 26, are verses I can relate to, organically. He’s a real person who is with me all the time. I have so much joy & peace in my life, today, after a childhood spent in orphanages [England & Australia]. God LOVES me so much. Fear, pain, & shame, are no longer my constant companions. I just wanted to share my experience with you [Luke 8: 16 – 17].
Peace Be With You
Micky
Posted on May 9, 2007 at 5:28 am