Jesus said to his disciples in Luke 17:1-5 (KJV) that “it is impossible but that offenses will come; but woe unto him, through whom they come. It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and be cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn to thee saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” This is a hard thing to walk out, especially when confrontation is something you try to avoid. There was a reason that Jesus told his disciples to rebuke their brother or sister when there was a trespass. Jesus wants everyone to walk in freedom and if we do not rebuke someone who has clearly offended us, then it can lead to anger, bitterness, sadness, confusion etc. Satan can use these things to negatively affect your life, if you let it. There is freedom in confessing sins one to another and it can bring healing that relationships desperately need (James 5:16). On the other hand, Proverbs 19:11b says “it is his glory to pass over a transgression”. The Bible helps us make wise decisions in our relationships. The Bible includes every answer we need for every situation we face. Maybe in one situation it can be easy to overlook an offense while in another situation there may be a need for confrontation and establishing boundaries in that relationship. The Lord knows what is necessary in each individual situation and if we ask the Holy Spirit, then we will know what decision to make when the time comes or when offense comes. Jesus said it is impossible for offenses not to come so we must be ready for them when they do come. We can have true life within our relationships.

  After Jesus spoke to His disciples about this, He passed through Samaria and Galilee, and came to a certain village where ten lepers came near to Him (Luke 17:11). They all asked Jesus for mercy and He told them to go show themselves to the priests and as they went and followed His instructions, they were cleansed from their leprosy. Only one of the men who had leprosy turned back to glorify God when he saw he was healed from his disease. It says that one man fell down on his face and gave thanks to Him. Later in the next few verses Jesus said that his faith made him whole. That one man saw the healing that he had been expecting come to pass, he glorified the Lord, and his thankfulness and worship made him whole. Places on his body that had been eaten away by leprosy were restored. He recognized the Savior and gave Him the glory for his healing with a thankful heart! We also can have true life in our physical bodies.

  After seeing this, the Pharisees demanded to know an answer from Jesus about when the kingdom would come. They were always wanting a sign and were so focused on the senses and the external. Luke 17:21 says Jesus told them that the kingdom of heaven is within you. It seemed to be something that was so far out of reach for the Pharisees that it probably blew their mind to hear Jesus give them an answer like that. They couldn't recognize Jesus even though they saw him with their own eyes. So many believers are reaching out begging and pleading for everything in this life when in reality, God has given us everything through the life of Jesus. This is how we rest in Him and in His finished work. His kingdom has come. It is within you if you have made Jesus Lord of your life. He will come again and there will be a new heaven and a new earth, but right now we have been made new through His life within us. Of course there are limitations in this life and we’ll be perfected when we get to heaven but John 17:3 says “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent”. If this was only for the life to come then why would Jesus have spoken of this as having already been given? 1 John 5:20 says “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” Jesus also said in John 6:47 “he that believeth on me hath everlasting life”. Hath in the Greek (echo) means to have, to hold in your hand, in the sense of wearing, to hold fast, to possess. Eternal is without end and life in the Greek (zoe) means absolute fulness of life; real and genuine, life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to have a more perfect body, and to last forever. This is the abundant life Jesus talks about in His Word. Colossians 2:9-10 says “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” We can have true life because we are complete in Him.

  It is so freeing to know that Jesus is within us as believers and He has given us the victory to overcome this world; our faith in Him (1 John 5:4). If you have made Jesus Lord of your life, don’t just think of heaven as all there is to look forward to. Enjoy this life...eternal life...knowing Jesus (John 17:3). Keep learning now and then throughout eternity when you leave your body and this earth behind, when Jesus comes back for you. 1 John 5:11 says God hath given us eternal life and this life is in His Son. Your life is always and forever with Him in your Spirit; here on earth and then in heaven. This is how His Kingdom is within you!

  To any who do not know Jesus, your Spirit will live forever either in heaven or hell. If you have not made Him Lord of your life then you do not have true life and you will not have life in heaven with Him. Make the choice today to have eternal life! It’s a free gift and it's in Jesus. Reach out for help if you need it!