Off The Fence On Offense

Much has been said recently about stumbling or offending the “weaker brother”. Most have been focused on the stumbling, which I believe is clear in Scripture (referred to in previous posts/comments). Careless exploitation of Christian liberty can be damaging, and discretion is evidence of a fruit of the Spirit (self-control).

The point of this post however, is to focus on being offended. These days, the charge of being offended by someone’s statement or even a simple opinion has given the A.C.L.U their own parking space at the 9th circuit court. Crying foul has somehow become a Constitutional right, and the squeaky-wheel is quickly oiled with law-changing apologies.

But what about the Christian? What about those of us who have been instructed to live a life of sacrifice and humility; not caught up in the cares of this world. Is there a place for the Christian to be offended?

Here’s the problem, at the root of this is a predetermined standard by which you measure how you think you ought to be treated. If anyone sells you short, you take offense. What's worse is that this standard is everchanging, largely influenced by circumstance, even what mood you're in. This standard is completely self-written. What offends one may not offend another. What if my mom actually did wear combat boots? Where in Scripture (whether explicit or implicit) are we offered the authority to write such a list?

Try this list-

Matt 5:44 - …”pray for those who persecute you.”

Matt 10:25 – “If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they malign those of his household” (a warning, not a question).

Matt 20:10-12,15 – “Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ To which the master replied, ‘Am I not allowed to do what I please with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’”

1 Thess 2:2 “But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God…”

Now I didn’t consult the Greek on these, so let me know if I’ve abused these verses. Otherwise, sit down and give them their due authority. Brother and sister, there’s no room for self indulgence in the life of a disciple. To take offense is to exalt yourself higher than you ought...and this is sin. No apologies.

If this offends you, keep this in mind, the offense is not even yours to take.