Being offensive vs. People being offended by you

Being offensive vs. People being offended by you By Michae Allen (It was so good, I asked permission to post it)

I read something today about praying in public and the core idea was not offending others. Basically, it was saying that Christ should shine through in your life but pushing Him into people's faces could make Him unattractive to them.

I read the article and it really bothered me. I turned to my wife and said, "this is where it starts." I was talking about the gospel of inclusion, this new age concept of a god that is palatable to everyone.

In Luke 12:51 - 53, Jesus said, "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law." It's funny that we never hear about this Jesus. All we ever hear these days is "God is love" and when a Christian says something that makes people uncomfortable, they're either crazy or narrow minded.

There is a huge difference between actively offending people and people being offended by you. Normally in grammar, we are taught not to use the passive voice, but as Christians, our passive voice is quite powerful and people will be plenty offended without us actively doing so. If I say, "yes, the bible says that Jesus is the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him" there are those that will be offended. Nevertheless, the bible says it, so it's true. If I say, "you're gay, so you're going to hell" that is highly offensive and carries no evangelistic weight. Furthermore, I don't have to love anyone or have any good intentions to make that statement.Can you see the difference?

The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. Oftentimes, we tell folks the bad news that they really already know; that saves no one. Sure, when we share the good news, people will hear what they want to hear and be offended, but that should not deter us from doing our duty as people of God. Understand that our sinful nature hates God and wants nothing to do with Him. Our handling the gospel with "kid gloves" does not make it easier to swallow. That is not even our concern. No, we don't fling God's word at folks, but we are not ashamed of it either. Point people to the cross and let the Word speak for itself.
Choose Jesus Christ