Reflecting on Luke 17:1-4“Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.” (Luke 17:1)
We were made to love and to be loved.
But in this world we experience the constant cycle of hurt and hurting others.
If love is God’s will, then sin is any and all unloving, cruel behaviours.
This is what makes our world the hell that it is.
This is what God is working to end… so don’t be that person.
In these statements Jesus is urging us to break the cycle of hurt.
Don’t be the person that causes others to stumble!
Urge those who are hurting (sinning against you) to stop!
Forgive those who have hurt you and repent, to stop the cycle of revenge.
This is how Jesus lived, the God-pleasing life that He modelled for us.
I do not have it in me to break this cycle myself.
But do I seriously want to, do I seriously try to be more loving?
Jesus’s words about the millstone are meant to show us how serious this is.
He wants us to hate unloving cruelty as much as God does.
He is urging us to join Him in breaking this cycle of cruel, hurtful living.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, where am I still being hurtful in my attitudes and behaviours? Where am I making it harder for others to experience Your love, joy and peace? I want to stop, but I need Your help. Open my eyes to see where this is happening, and help me seriously take steps to change this.
Am I a stepping stone or a stumbling block? Am I an instrument of love or hate? I need to be like Christ unto others – He needs to be first in my actions. Have Thine own way Lord for You are the Potter and I the clay. Mold me and make me after Your will today and every day. Enable me to practice the Way throughout today.