Thursday, November 12, 2015

Being Offended

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (II Timothy 3:12-15 NIV)

I’m not sure if the Starbuck’s cup thing is really a thing.  If you have been sleeping all week or have been disconnected from social media, then know that some folks have complained about the plain red cups the company is using this holiday.  No one knows how many, but other folks have felt the need to take issue with these folks’ complaints as being ridiculous.  And, thus, we have embarked on another round of the seasonal “War on Christmas.”

What I have been observing over the past decade or more is just how easily people are offended and how much they feel the need to express their indignation. And social media has given them a quick and effective outlet.  And this cuts across political and religious spectrums, as well as the cultural one.  I am afraid we are becoming a chronically offended people at a time where the common belief is we have the right not to be offended.   

So the question is, how are followers of Jesus to respond to this cultural current?   Paul, I think, gives us the guidance we need.  First of all, he states clearly that if we truly follow Jesus, we WILL be persecuted as a result of that choice.  Jesus said the same thing (John 15:18-19).  Thus, we should get over this idea that we have the right to be respected and are entitled to be treated kindly and fairly.  We shouldn’t expect the culture to roll out the red carpet for us, and we shouldn’t be surprised or offended when it doesn’t.  

Secondly, Paul points to the study and understanding of the Scriptures as the guiding point in our lives.  Is it perhaps because so many do not have a clear knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures that they seemed to be so shocked and offended that the world stands against us as Christians? For within them there is a clear picture of the spiritual battle being waged between the forces of light and darkness.  Battles have casualties; they are not picnics in the park.  Any thorough reading of the Word will confirm this.

So in a culture that is so easily offended, should not the followers of Jesus respond differently?  Instead of complaining, should we not instead love those who offend us?  Instead of responding in kind to those who persecute us, should we not rather treat them as we would want to be treated?  Instead of being shocked that we are being persecuted, should we not be prepared for such treatment?  And instead of bemoaning our circumstances, should we not rejoice

Today, recognize that we live in a fallen world that has rebelled against God.  As Christians across the world and for two millennia have experienced, there is a cost to following Jesus.  We shouldn’t be shocked or offended when we have to pay the price.  Instead, we should follow the example of Jesus who left us an example that we might follow in His steps and be lights in the midst of the darkness.  

© Jim Musser 2015  

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