I was thinking about how often people get offended, especially these last few years. Believe me, I’m probably one of the most sensitive people out there, so I lean towards getting offended easily since it’s just natural to me. Praise God, the LORD is helping me with that, and as I get older, I care less and less about what others have to say. However, I still can struggle with it. Getting offended is one of those knee jerk reactions that are difficult to let go of.
Christian stance on controversial topics
But again, I have been thinking a lot about this recently since I know how some of the stances Christians take can be perceived as very offensive. Since I don’t like being offended, I would never want to offend anyone else if I could avoid it. But unfortunately sometimes, it’s just unavoidable.
Whether it’s gender ideology or abortion (for a couple of examples), people who do not have the same worldview can lose their minds at anything that contradicts their stated narrative. How dare we speak out against these sacred idols of our culture? And should we??
So many Christians are sensitive to this, and are therefore afraid to offend these lost people. Christians are worried that their witness will be marred since they don’t want to offend anyone before they even get to know a person and share the gospel. Therefore, they would rather not take a public stance on any of these topics. Many would rather just focus on the love and forgiveness of Jesus instead. Clearly, in our culture, this is what is easy and acceptable. And besides, it seems like the “nice” thing to do!
But is there something even MORE offensive than standing against gender ideology and abortion?
Another epiphany
Which brought me to an epiphany I had the other morning. It’s funny how, when you think about it, the basic gospel is much more offensive than either of these hot button topics. The gospel calls us to repent of our sin. The gospel does not mince words – we are sinners that in no way can help ourselves. We are not good enough and never will be. It is impossible to help ourselves. Before we accepted Christ as our LORD and Savior, we were literally dead in our sin (Ephesians 2:1). And last time I checked, dead people can’t help themselves or anyone else for that matter.
I’d say, that’s pretty offensive. I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s amazing how people react to being confronted with God’s standard of the basic 10 commandments. We ALL fail miserably, but so many of us don’t like getting called out for it. We’re “offended.” We would rather compare ourselves to other people we feel morally superior to. The problem is, that’s not who we should be comparing ourselves. Who we are supposed to compare ourselves to is God’s standard, which is Jesus. So yeah – there’s no comparison in that case.
Fear
It’s ironic that we are so afraid to be offensive to share about things that are clearly biblical. Yet we who call ourselves Christians inherently stand on the most offensive fact: We all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We are therefore (again) not good enough and never will be. As Believers in Christ, we are called to repent (Luke 13:1-5). We must embrace Christ as not only our Savior but our LORD and all that it entails. That means we do things God’s way, not our way.
Inherently offensive
So yes, we will be offensive to many. God’s Word even says, “To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?” (2 Corinthians 2:16). Why are we afraid of the smaller offenses when we are pointing people to Christ Who exposes the much greater offense that we are grave sinners in need of forgiveness from a Holy God?
Praise God that despite our sin and what we may have done in our past, we have the BEST news to share – Jesus! Jack Miller says it best in this quote:
“Cheer up! You’re a worse sinner than you ever dared imagine, and you’re more loved than you ever dared hope.”
LORD, help us as Your people to stand firm on the Truths of Scripture. Help us to know what that looks like in every area of our lives and our community. Guide us to share the truth of the gospel, as well as the Truth that Scripture clearly tells us to live by. It’s not about being political, but it’s all about being biblical. Give us strength to speak against the moral decay of our culture, as we also embrace and share Your gospel for salvation.
I pray we have the wisdom to know the difference between being political and being biblical, even when others may want to blur the lines and compel us to sit silently on the sidelines.
Amen?
