I've known Brent for years now. I am so glad that he wanted to write this article about envy, and add it to GraceHead.

Its funny how GraceHeads often say the same thing from different perspectives. I have often said things that echo Brent's point: "You never have an excuse for offense."

I thought it might make for a good t-shirt slogan, so I added it to the GraceHead Store.

What does offense reveal? Are we really complaining against a person or against God? Do we really believe that Grace raised us up, from our naturally deprived condition?

I contend that if we are true GraceHeads, then we really know the rut we were stuck in, and we really credit God for rescuing us. More then that, we know that it is so miraculously beyond what we could have done for ourselves that God could do the same for anybody else that He chooses.

That person that irks you, and offends you ... are you really better then they are. Go ahead and brag if it suits you, about how you have it figured out but they are just too ____ to catch on.

You see, we can't go around and continue to be offended by even those that oppose us. For God could remedy the situation in a multitude of ways. It is God that holds that person together, and it is not a mistake on His part that the person exists. God, by His Spirit, reveals all Truth, and it is not a mistake on God's part that the person that offends you is so ignorant or plain wrong. Don't you see that we must complain about God, to be offended by any man?

I encourage you to get offended until you can't get offended any more ... then you will be set free. Free to pray for your enemies, but not for the selfish reason that they are bugging you. Free to thank God that you have already prayed for them, and that it is in His hands now, not in yours to correct. Free to turn the other cheek, and wish only that their true condition is revealed consistently.

A perfect example of this freedom from offense was told to me by Brent back in June of 2003. It goes something like this:

Two monks were washing their bowls in the river when they noticed a scorpion that was drowning. One monk immediately scooped it up and set it upon the bank. In the process he was stung. He went back to washing his bowl and again the scorpion fell in. The monk saved the scorpion and was again stung. The other monk asked him, "Friend, why do you continue to save the scorpion when you know it's nature is to sting?"
"Because," the monk replied, "to save it is my nature."