Why So Offended?
How would you feel if you missed heaven for a reason that made you uncomfortable and for the sake of your feelings, Church leaders did not address it? I’m sure you would be more than upset at the leader and yourself. But, there would be nothing you can do, eternity is final. You will be the one to suffer because you wanted the soothing Gospel. I can’t allow that to be me, I NEED what will change me. I need what’s going to make me Heaven ready.
Repent, sin, and hell. These are a few of the strongest words in the Bible. Any message, written or spoken, containing these topics are sure to get attention. The attention I would hope for would cause someone to truthfully evaluate their lives and submit to God. However, what may come are rejection and offense, not only toward the message alone, but the messenger.
All over the world many are supporting those that speak blessings and prosperity and rejecting those that speak anything outside of that. This is the same rejection that caused God to be angry with His people in Hosea 4:6.(My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.) They were rejecting the knowledge of God. That knowledge came from His law.
When looking at the Bible, all books contain both good and bad. This is the balance of the Gospel. To inherit the eternal life promised by Jesus, one must not only profess salvation but live for it. It is an uncomfortable reality that people would rather not address, but it is necessary. Yet, people would rather take offense to the truth than embrace it.
Sadly, the Word of God said this would happen (2 Timothy 4:4) but at times it is still difficult for the ministers of God to deal with. In our humanity, the rejection hurts. Having people discredit you because you speak the uncommon truth is not easy. No one understands the pressures that are upon that vessel to deliver strong words. It is only by the help of the Spirit that it can be done.
Those that share messages about repentance and the consequences for not doing so are looked at hard. Many are taking offense to such people. But my question is: Why so offended? Why is anyone who presents the truth of God’s Word offensive to you? Why is God’s Word offensive? Could it be that the thing you take offense to is something you desire to keep? Hell should not bother you if your salvation is sure. Repentance should not be a problem if you have done it. Yet, people are taking offense everyday as if these topics are not Biblical.
Offense is something that everyone must deal with. Jesus called it an impossibility, in Luke 17. That means, its guaranteed to hit us all. The Lord told me this; offense is a tool used by the flesh to cause people to reject the truth that leads to their change. When people are offended, they lock down. Offense produces an impenetrable spiritual barrier that is controlled only by that person. You have the choice not to submit to offense. You have a choice to not lock down.
I’m not saying that every message should be about these topics. Like I said before, the Gospel is balanced. Jesus talked about blessings and judgments. But the point is, He talked about it. So, if you never talk about it, something is wrong with your gospel. On the contrary, if you never want to hear it, something is wrong with your spiritual ears.
Let’s look at it from another angle. No good parent gives their child everything they want. Most parents will agree that children often desire what’s not good for them. It wasn’t until I became an adult and parent that I really began to understand the choices of my parents. Likewise, God being The Good Father will not supply his children with only sweets and candies in the Spirit, lest they develop worms.
One of the things that I love about God is that He will confirm His Truth. He has done that for me. I started writing not for man’s approval but God’s. It has never been my desire to offend people but to present the Truth. However, in doing so some may have been offended, and I cannot apologize for that.
Recently the Lord has been pressing upon my heart just how important it is to proclaim God’s truth.
In my day work, I meet a lot of people and when you develop a relationship, even in business, naturally there is a concern for their wellbeing.
Recently three of my clients suddenly passed, two older and one very young. All their deaths were hard on me. As a believer my mind immediately shifts to eternity. Unlike praying for those that are living, praying for individuals that are have already passed is limited. The reality is this: There is nothing more they can do. All their works are complete. The time to stand before the Master has arrived. Knowing that caused a fresh passion to arise in me to keep pressing and keep preaching for the living that have not received Christ and have not been enlightened to the truth.
When the time comes to stand before God, what matters? Your alma mater? Your career? How much money you had? Your physique? Your race? Your skin color? None of that matters. Whether or not you lived for God and followed the commandments of Jesus will be the determining factor.
The Truth is: God loves you, but His love will not stop His judgement. Where is the offense in that?
God began to give me this illustration: Under any federal, government, or legal document there is a part (usually where the signature is) that indicates a consequence for not observing the stipulations of that contract. For example, upon completion of your individual tax return, near the signature line for the preparer, taxpayer, and spouse lies an acknowledgement and responsibility to do what is right concerning that document. Depending on your role within that return there is a consequence for not adhering to your part of the agreement. Nothing is hidden. The good and bad are detailed. Whether you receive a return or owe the government is known. If you have falsified any information your consequence is noted.
But, I would like to a pose a question to each person reading this entry: Were you offended at the consequences stated in that document? Or were you just ready to receive your reward?
If you are like me, your reply is no. But how many are offended at the outlines of consequences mentioned in the Word of God? How many are offended at the preachers, teachers, and servants of God that talk about sin and Hell? When I came into salvation over 12 years ago, I wanted to be right with God. And whether I had to leave the House of God crawling because the Word was so heavy or crying because it was hard; it was all worth it to obtain eternal life.
The scripture says narrow is the way to eternal life and there are few that find it (Matthew 7:13-14). Why would anyone be offended at the truth? People that encourage you to do the things commanded of God are not hard, it is the love of God. Now, please understand I am aware that there are people out there not operating by the Spirit of God and thus make the message of repentance what I would call crazy. So, it is imperative to find the true servants of God who are led of the Spirit.
It is with great passion that I write you today because many are leaving this world unexpectedly. I desire sincerely that everyone enter the Kingdom of Heaven. However, I cannot make an account for anyone’s soul but my own. I can only point you to Christ and urge you to sign your name on the covenant of God.
Do not be offended at the Word because it challenges you to change. Do not be offended at the Word because it confronts your sin. I know it doesn’t feel good, but it is for our good. The preachers and teachers of the Gospel are not giving you their word, but they are revealing the Word of God. Do not reject them. Embrace the fullness of the Word of God. God is a faithful to provide encouragement and correction at the right time.
I leave you with this scripture:
Matthew 19:16-17 King James Version (KJV)
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
I pray that this entry blesses you today.
Until next time,
Kristina