Devo for 07/13/2025 service- Message by Pastor Clint Sprague

We continued our hike through the Sermon on the Mount this past Sunday. The key verse is one many of us know, but we probably have a tough time living by it!

 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.  If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow”  Matthew 5:38-42

When we feel we have been wronged, it is not easy to “turn the other cheek.” But Jesus lived that way and called us to do the same. Pastor Clint’s three points in the sermon show the life we should live, which will guide us into following Jesus' command.

• The health of our hearts determines the condition of our lives,

• Peacemakers reveal the heart of Jesus

• Serving others reveals the heart of Jesus

He followed up these points with this question: “What would it look like in your life if you lived by these points?  I encourage everyone to ponder that question.

While discussing how Jesus wants us to be Peacemakers, Pastor Clint brought up Romans 12:17-21 and made the point that we should never respond to evil with evil.  As I read that scripture, verse 18 stuck out to me:

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Romans 12:18

I want to highlight the middle of the verse, “so far as it depends on you”.  Can I just say that it does depend on you to determine if you will be offended, or not.  Being offended is a choice, and in this verse, we are being asked, if possible, to be at peace with all men.  In other words, choose NOT to be offended.   In fact, the verse just before (v.17) says we should “Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes.”  

Men, if you can get control of your “offendable heart”, it makes it easier to let God be the judge and let go of the offense.  The fact is, hurt people hurt people and humans are going to human.  We are going to have trials and strife in this world that could be taken as an offense to us.  But we don’t have to let it get to us, we can be unoffendable!

If you struggle in the area of offense, ask God for the strength and wisdom to change your ways.  It is worth it, friends!  

A person’s insight gives him patience,and his virtue is to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

Don’t forget to invite God into your day!

Topic for Study

• Offense

• Proverbs 18:19

• Ecclesiastes 7:21-22

• Luke `17:3-4

July Memory Verse: 

Ephesians 5:21

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”