“Ten Little Christians”, author unknown

Not to long ago we held a conversation about a family that had left our church a couple of years ago.  They had been offended, and though I know by what, that’s not important.  This verse, from Wednesday night’s service is:

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalms 119:165 KJV)

That verse came to mind when I read this on Alfie’s Multiply page.  Have you been, or can you see, some of these who were offended:

Ten little Christians standing in a line,
One disliked the pastor, then there were nine.
Nine little Christians stayed up very late,
One slept in on Sunday, then there were eight.
Eight little Christians on their way to heaven,
One took the low road, then there were seven.
Seven little Christians chirping like chicks,
One disliked the music, then there were six.
Six little Christians seemed very much alive,
But one lost his interest, then there were five.
Five little Christians pulling for Heaven's shore,
But one stopped to rest, then there were four.
Four little Christians, each busy as a bee,
One got her feelings hurt, then there were three.
Three little Christians knew what to do,
One joined the sports crowd, then there were two.
Two little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done,
Differed with each other, then there was one.
One little Christian can't do much 'tis true;
Brought his friend to Bible study, then there were two.
Two earnest Christians, each won one more,
That doubled their number, then there were four.
Four sincere Christians worked early and late,
Each won another, then there were eight.
Eight little Christians, if they doubled as before,
In just a few short weeks, we'd have 1,024.
In this little jingle, there's a lesson true,
You belong to the building, or the wrecking crew.

I prefer the building crew!  Where do you fit in? Jesus offended His followers:

When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? (John 6:61 KJV)

What He said did offend them, and they responded as those Christians above:

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (John 6:66 KJV)

God knows we will be offended, and that we will offend. 

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (James 3:2 KJV)

We must work to bridle our tongue, our thoughts, our lives, building them with God’s laws.  We must let the imperfections pass pass through us, knowing that while we are not perfect He is.  We must forgive as He does, never holding on to the offense.

Do that and we’ll never be one of those nine who walked away from their church.  The choice is ours.