Faith & No Offense!

Probably the most famous set of verses used at weddings is from I Corinthians 13, defining 'love'. One part of it reads:

'...love keeps no record of wrongs... love always trusts...' (vs.6-7)

In my own marriage, for example, where I fail to 'trust' my wife, a distance spreads between us. Where I keep a record of wrongs, a distance spreads between us. Now, it is tough in my marriage because I am imperfect, and my spouse is imperfect, so truly there can be a basis for some breakdown of trust, and there certainly is a record of wrongs. So the challenge in this relationship is overcoming the 'realities' of our brokenness, with forgiveness, repentance, and other efforts and virtues.

Our 'love' relationship with God also requires 'faith' (or 'trust'), and a commitment to 'not take offense'. Jesus is perfect in his relationship with us, so our challenge with him is not regarding a 'record of wrongs', but rather in resisting the urge to 'take offense on account of him.' (e.g. believing he has let us down, or is responsible for bad things that have happened to us.) Jesus challenges us to 'not take offense on account of him' (Matthew 11:6), as even John the Baptist was tempted to do (Mt 11:1-11). The other challenge is 'trust', and in this relationship with God we can call it 'faith', because it is in the realm of what we believe but cannot see. This is how we 'trust' God: We believe him. We believe his story, his words, his Spirit, his report. We are told in Hebrews 11:6, 'Without faith it is impossible to please God.'
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So, my personal challenge these last few days in my effort to grow deeper in my relationship with the Lord, has been 2-fold:
A) To 'not take offense' at God: How do I do this? Well, I stand against my feelings, doubts and disappointments, and pray out loud, 'I believe you are good, and that you have not and will not let me down!'
B) To hold steady in my faith. How do I do this? Well, I continue to pray for what I feel is true, what I long for in God, from God. I persist, do not give up, press forwards, as he calls me to. (cf Luke 18:1-8)

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