What are Offences?

Matthew 18:7

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

As any good planner or project manager would know, when undertaking a task, there are some resources that are necessary to carry this task to completion. Whether it be people, materials or some conditions that have to be met in order for a successful effort. Well, consider this: God is a great master-builder. He speaks of himself and declares that He never starts something that He has not already considered all the elements of it. But curiously enough, in His assessment of the project of saving the world, He made one very key observation: He needs offences to come!

But why, in God’s great plan of salvation would He see a need for offences? Well, an offence is an occasion or an opportunity for a person to fall or stumble. It is an occasion that poses a choice as to whether or not a person will hnor the Word of God and the character of Christ or if they will respond in sin and unrighteousness. Offences come to us all on a daily basis, but it is in our righteous responses to these situations that we please and glorify the Father. So let us not consider it strange when offences come our way. God needs it to come our way so that we may have an opportunity to show His life alive in us and to be glorified.

God Bless.