Last night at church, we were sharing about talking to people about Christ. Someone mentioned they thought the reason we as Christians don't share very often is because of our fear of "offending" the other person. This is not the first time I've heard this brought up in Christian gatherings - so it made me wonder just what God had to say about this in His Word, the Bible.
I Peter 2:8 says referring to Jesus, "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense."
I Corinthians 1:23 says, "but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews an offense and to the Gentiles foolishness."
Galatians 5:11 says, "And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased."
Romans 9:33 says, "Behold I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
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The following two scriptures were really interesting to me, as Jesus is confirming that He truly is the
"rock of offense":
Matthew 13:57: "So they were offended at Him."
John 6:61: "When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples grumbled about this, He said to them, 'Does this offend you?'
We can be offensive to others because of our lack of kindness, thoughtfulness, and even through our personal hygiene, but this is not what is being discussed here. It is very clear from the above scriptures that instead of being afraid of sharing the Gospel with someone because we will offend them - we need to share the Gospel KNOWING it will offend! Notice, though, what is doing the offending. It's the Gospel that is offending - not you!
Oh, but wait a minute. Maybe that is where the real problem lies? Maybe as Christians we do know that it is the Gospel that offends and that is the real reason we don't want to share it with others. What that amounts to in reality is: We are ashamed of the Gospel because it (the Gospel) offends people. So instead of saying, "I'm afraid I will offend others if I share the Gospel with them", we are really saying, "I'm afraid the Gospel will offend others if I share it with them."
Romans 1:16 says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."
Luke 6:22,23: "Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets."
Jesus was called "the rock of offense". As Christians, are we not called to follow in His steps?
