Key Scriptures: Proverbs 19:11
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
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Lesson One: Your life is too short and your calling is too great to be offended by something small.
• To overlook—‘ă·ḇōr (to pass over)
John 20:21, Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
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Lesson Two: Close the gap with love.
• The enemy wants you to fill the gap with accusation—God wants you to fill it with love.
Proverbs 10:12, tells us, Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
Proverbs 17:9, Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
Ephesians 4:1-3, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:32, Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other just as God, in Christ, also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 5:1-2, Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Colossians 3:13, Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life.
Exodus 34:6, The Lord God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:5, For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.