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"In many things we all offend. This truth we have (James 3:2), and it comes in as a reason why we must not be many masters (verse 1). It would help to subdue and moderate our anger at the offenses of others, if we would but consider two things.
"First, that it is incident to human nature to offend. While we are in this world we must not expect to converse with angels, or the spirits of just men made perfect. No, we are obliged to have communication with creatures who are foolish and corrupt, peevish and provoking, and who are all subject to like passions; such as these we must live among, else must we needs go out of the world. And have we not reason then to count upon something or other uneasy and displeasing in all relations and conversations? The best men have their roughnesses and unevennesses in this imperfect state; those who are savingly enlightened, yet knowing but in part have their blind side. The harmony, even of the communion of saints, will sometimes be disturbed with jarring strings. Why then should we be surprised into passion and disquiet when that which gives us the disturbance is no more than what we looked for? Instead of being angry, we should think with ourselves thus: Alas! what could I expect but provocation from corrupt and fallen man? Among such foolish creatures as we are, it must needs be that offences will come; and why should not I have my share of those offences? The consideration of the common infirmity and corruption of mankind should be made use of, not to excuse our own faults to ourselves, which does but take off the edge of our repentance, and is the poor subterfuge of a deceived heart; but to excuse the faults of others, and so take off the edge of our passion and displeasure, and preserve the meekness and quietness of our spirits.
"Second, that it is incident to ourselves, among the rest, to offend. The apostle there puts himself into the number, saying, "We all offend." We offend God; if we say we do not, we deceive ourselves, and yet he bears with us from day to day, and is not extreme to mark what we do amiss, though our debts to him are talents, our brethren's to us but pence. Think then, if God should be as angry with me for every provocation as I am with those about me what would become of me? They are careless in their observance, and perhaps willful in their offence, and am not I so to God? Yea, am not I a thousand times worse? Job said, when his servants were provoking, and he was tempted to be harsh with them, "What then shall I do, when God riseth up? And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?" (Job 31:13-14)
"And are we not enough likewise to offend our brethren? Either we have offended, or may offend; so that we have need that others should bear with us and why should we not bear with them?"
Painting ~ Young Girl Holding a Letter (detail) 1665, Caspar Netscher 1639-1684
Wikimedia Commons public domain
