Maybe I am a skeptic and maybe I suffer from critical thinking, but I have to say that I have come to a point in my life when I have to take the words of Popeye when he eloquently says, "that's all I can stands, cause I can't stands no more!". Everywhere we turn, everything we read and listen to has been moderately changing from being able to be different and to have a difference of opinion and to even argue and debate on those opinions to an era where we are told that we cannot offend, we cannot insult, we cannot be different because that would not be acceptable to cultural terms. If we look different and act different and do not like the way others carry themselves and have an opinion as such you will no longer be posed as a dissenter, rather, you will be classified as insensitive, a hater, someone who is prejudice and if you turn on the media something much worse.
Do not misunderstand where I am going with this, because you will not read what you are expecting to read.
Here are some questions for you:
- Does the Gospel offend?
- If you call someone a sinner are you a hater?
- If you try to live by biblical standards to your everyday life, will culture deem you as someone who is intolerant?
- If you are preaching the gospel, are you prepared to offend?
Ephesians 6:12English Standard Version (ESV)
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Why would society want everyone to view and think the same way? Why would culture want everyone to think and reason the same way instead of to celebrate the cultural differences that we have been given? Why would the world want us to believe that everyone has their own way to self actualization and salvation? Seriously, you think that this may not be the case? Then word the word of God in a public place and on topics that will call people out in their sin (not you, but the word of God) and see if you don't get a reaction.
Tell the world that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to Heaven and that without the knowledge of the Son then there is no way to the Father. See if that offends!
I don't want you to take this as a green light to be a hypocrite nor do I give my blessing to thumb your nose at those who do not know the Lord. Rather, in love, reach out to those who are lost (do not know the Lord) and are in a proverbial burning building and on their way to Hell if you do not share God's love with them.
The Gospel does offend. It is ridiculous to tell the World that Jesus is the only way and not to offend.
Let's stop with the all inclusive, one religion (of self) and be true to God's word.
Let's do this in love and not being spiteful in how we serve the Lost.
Instead of trying to be right, let the Word of God rule in your life and let it lead you in how God wants us to serve those who do not know Him as Savior.
Colossians 3:15-17English Standard Version (ESV)
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
How would you share the gospel if you could no longer offend by just merely speaking the words of God? Do you think that we are not that far away from this from happening?
Thoughts?
Blessings,D