The Offended

 

"Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?" Matthew 15:12

 

We live in a day of "political correctness." I remember it starting in the 1990's and it has mushroomed into something that is now causing huge problems for our country, especially our defense and those who try to protect us against that ever present enemy who would like to destroy us from within. THis "political correctness" has taken over int he workplace and one is never quite sure just what to call whom anymore because, like all things else that are devised by many, they change almost on a daily basis. This has krept into our churches and it is nothing new that we are becoming so afraid of offending someone that we find ourselves holding back on things that need to be preached and brought out in the open.

 

As our freedom of speech is slowly being squeezed out of us, not only in the workplace but everywhere including the church, it takes the Holy Ghost to give us the boldness to cry against sin and preach the Word of God as it should be preached. We need a revival in America and it will only come through prayer and through preaching the uncompromising Word of God. The Pharisees were like a lot of people today, just waiting to be offended. It's like a dare; "Come on! Offend me so I can complain!" And while we should be considerate for others as this is a part of the teaching of Christ, the one we really need to wory about offending is God. Remember who controls the storms and the weather; who holds our very being in the palm of his hand; who can raise up an enemy against us and/or help us conquer it through his Son Jesus Christ. He is the one we need to be concerned about offending.

 

I can't help of thing of the scripture found in Psalm 119:165, " Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." The word "offend" here can also mean to cause to stumble or to stumble. Therefore, we as believers, should have enough love not to be offended at the offended. That's hard and can only be done through Christ, but we can also take heed that we are not the offended. Expect the world not to be a lover of grace - it isn't.

It's true that as this world heads towards it's final judgment, there are more voices of evil causing many to stumble and lose out with Christ but this should not be. But remember, whatever can be shaken will be shaken in these last days. We can continue to stand for him and watch unto prayer. Jesus is coming soon! Be ready!