Offended !

Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee • 5/5/2022

“And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me”. (Luke 7:23)

“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.”   (Luke 9:26)

Believers, in today’s atmosphere of confusion, hate and dis-trust, it is easy to get offended at another who offends you. Everyone seems to be offended these days.  Churches have split because of some who are offended. Families are torn apart because of offenses. Business relationships fail because someone was offended. And at times it ‘boils down’ to “what about me?”  The offended person's focus may be on “self” and not on Jesus, our Creator and Lord.  Since many are focused on themselves, could they be possibly be offended of Jesus? Sadly, the answer is often ‘yes’.  Many find it offensive even to speak the name of Jesus audibly.

When thoughts and focus are on ourselves, we can get our feelings hurt easily. When our thoughts and focus are on Christ, we think of Him continually in all that we do. We are to “set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col 3:2). “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt 6:33).  Let’s face it, as workers for Christ, ‘we don’t have time to be offended’.  We are in His service - He has told us in the Bible, numerous times, not to place all our trust in man. Man will let you down. “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man” (Ps 118:8).

We are never to be offended by our service for Christ. Jesus said “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me” (Luke 7:23). If the Bible is offensive at times, it is because it is convicting us of sin. Our hope is not to be offensive to others but not to be ashamed of Jesus and His words (Mark 8:38).  And by the way, I think we all offended Christ before we surrendered our lives to Him.

So let me leave you here with four (4) questions / points for discussion:

1.      Is your service for Christ offensive, especially when those who do not serve Him, or seem repulsive because of your service?  Often to those who do not believe?

2.      Does the mention of the name of Jesus in public bring you embarrassment?

3.      Are you afraid to tell others about the gospel of Christ because it may offend them?

4.      Does sports, jobs, politics, earthly chores, family, money and recreation take precedence over your service for Christ?

If your answer to any of these is ‘yes’, then perhaps a self-examination is in order.

Brothers / Sisters, while it is not my intention to determine who is "saved" and who is "not saved" (between you and God),  this verse might be appropriate.  As always, love in Christ. 

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Cor 13:5)

Thank you for “Taking 5" • Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee
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