Why Are They Offended?
From Chandler Olof
We as believers are not called to seek out how to offend people. We do our best to not be antagonistic. (Matthew 5:9, Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14) It is true that there is a temptation to become antagonistic, because it may feel like “fighting the good fight” in the midst of a quarrel. We must be careful of this temptation because it can lead us into delusions of persecution, when in reality we are simply not bearing the image of Christ.
The way people choose to react to us cannot be our measure of whether we are living out the Gospel. People fight and are offended at all kinds of things. If they are offended at us, that doesn’t necessarily prove that we are bearing Christ’s image correctly. Jesus tells us that our persecution is only of value when it is for His sake.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” Matthew 5:11 NKJV
And the Holy Spirit through Peter said, “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.” I Peter 2:20 NKJV
People responded to Jesus in all kinds of ways, including being offended at Him. (Mark 6:3) However, Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19), and God is righteous. (Deuteronomy 32:4) So if people were offended at Jesus, they were offended at righteousness. The only reason anyone should be offended at us is because of righteousness.
We should operate in grace and flexibility with people while never compromising on righteousness. Should God dabble in injustice simply to not offend someone? Or should He cheat by forcing people to be kind? If we compromise on righteousness to “help” someone accept the Gospel, haven’t we given them a false gospel?
Far be it from us! Still, there is hope for us and those who hear our message if we sin and they are offended. Repentance and confession is the righteous way back to the righteous path. If they accept it or not, if they are offended at your repentance or not, it is the way to go.
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” Revelation 3:19 NKJV