The Biblical principles regarding offense and forgiveness described here are essential to community life.

The discussion that prompted this article was a study on Colossians 3, verses 1-17 but a great deal of time was spent discussing verses 12-14:

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.  Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. " 
(Colossians 3:12-14)

We also talked about Matthew chapter 18 which details, in part, about how to approach a situation where someone offends you (see Matthew 18:15-20).

As a community, we should commit to follow a Biblical pattern every time even a minor offense pops up.

Here are some principles that Scripture outlines regarding what to do when someone offends you:

The book of Job provides an account of the unimaginable suffering that G-d allows to befall a man named Job.  During his trials, Job is visited by his three friends and they discuss Job's circumstances.  In their conversations they reveal their thoughts about the source of wisdom. 

One thinks wisdom is learned.  Another thinks wisdom is inherited from the past.

What does Job think?  The chart below summarizes their positions.

Scripture tells us that heaven and earth glorify G-d.

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.  (Psalm 19:1)

And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory."  (Isaiah 6:3)

Within creation, each created thing serves to glorify its Creator in its own unique way.  In addition to the unique way in which G-d is glorified, there are varying degrees of glory and holiness can be revealed.  For a simple example, let’s consider a sheep.

During a recent Bible study, the question was asked: "Is Yeshua G-d?"

Some involved immediately responded, "Yes, He is!"

Others quickly retorted, "No, He is not!"

There are compelling points of Scripture on both sides of the debate.  After considering all of the passages for and against, my conclusion is the Messiah Yeshua is indeed G-d.

I am quick to note that Messiah's body is not G-d because, at some point, that flesh did not exist, yet G-d has always existed.  At some point, His flesh died, but G-d cannot die: He is eternal.  Messiah's flesh changed as He grew and matured, and yet G-d never changes. 

Early believers created a phrase to describe the unity of an eternal, unchanging G-d with a finite, changing man: hypostatic union.  Yeshua is the union of the Spirit and soul of the eternal G-d with the flesh of a man.

In the Summer 2010 edition of Messiah Journal by First Fruits of Zion, Derek Leman provides a review of a book entitled "Mapping Messianic Jewish Theology" by Richard Harvey. In the review, Mr. Leman recounts seven "pressing questions" for Messianics from the book.

Psalm11918.org has been developing our position on these points and would like to share our answers to those questions.

Although it should go without saying, we want to make it clear that, with additional study and G-dly counsel, our answers to these questions may change.