Does The Church Need To Improve At This?

August 19, 2016 | By Chuck

Recently a preacher friend of mine asked me if I've ever offended anyone by my preaching. My response was, "yes, many times over the years". Then he asked me how many times did I intentionally offend others. I responded, "zero". I explained that I never meant to offend anyone in my preaching. I have never prepared one single sermon with the intent to offend someone. He agreed and confirmed that he too had offended others but never was the intent there. Then he made a very telling statement when he said, "I wish the church would give me the benefit of the doubt". That conversation reminds me of a particular verse that Paul penned to the Ephesians. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."(Eph.4:2) If we will practice Paul's words we will give our brothers and sisters the benefit of the doubt. We will patiently bear with our brothers and sisters understanding that whatever they said or did probably wasn't meant to offend anyone. How many of you start your day with the intent to offend someone before the day ends? Ridiculous, right? Then bear with your brothers and sisters in love, giving them the benefit of the doubt that they were not trying to offend you. What do you think; does the church need to improve at this?