“It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” (Luke 17:2)
I do not really know for sure if the Lord Jesus Christ was speaking in context about small children in this verse or all who are the children of God, but in either case, the connotation is the same, those who offend them are in for a world of hurt.
I would ask that you commit those last words to memory, because every time you speak to someone about the grace of God, of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, about how we are to live our lives for Him, and all the struggles that will ensue as we follow Him, you want to be very sure of this one thing. That they are always truths that can be verified in His Word. If not, you are leading them astray.
Talking to the wicked, the lost, the unrepentant, those still in and of this world is actually much easier than expounding upon His truths to those who adhere to certain religious organizations, they have, for all intent, been brainwashed.
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2nd Tim. 3:13)
Nearly all of them profess some form of a belief that we must perform some work before we can be saved, that what our Savior did on the cross was not sufficient in and of itself for our salvation, that His shed blood will not be accepted by the Almighty unless it is mingled with some deed performed by us. You can reveal to them the truths found in the Book of Romans, in Galatians, different places throughout the Scriptures, and they will refuse to hear, in fact, this verse will become a reality to you.
“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16)
But there is something much worse than speaking His truths to them my friends, much worse than never opening your mouth when you know you should. And that is leading them astray intentionally.
From counting beads, to believing baptism is a requirement for salvation, that speaking in tongues is proof, attending church religiously, and a thousand other inventions of mankind, if there is a work involved towards salvation, it is a cult of works.
“For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.” (Mark 7:8)
Death, hell, the Law, all were conquered on His cross by Him, and by Him alone. Teach them anything besides the truth, and Galatians 1:8 is for you.
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
So important that it is repeated in the next verse.
If you do not know the answer to a question they have, tell them you will find it and get back to them, and then do so. Do not guess, do not presume, do not change the subject, find the answer.
If you truly are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then there is something else you need to be aware of, and I personally believe this verse holds as much truth for us as it did for the man the Most High was speaking to that day.
“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” (Eze. 3:18)
You cannot be wrong, ever, and if you find out later in life as you grow in your sanctification that you were, repent in your heart of that mistake, thank Him for revealing His truth in the matter, and learn a valuable lesson.
We will make innocent mistakes in our walk with the Lord, but those who truly desire to serve the Him in all honesty and truth will be able to apply this verse in their life.
“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” (Prov. 9:9)
