There are a number of passages in scripture that reveal
offense taken by Israelites, Scribes and Pharisees. In this article, we’ll look
at why truth offends and why truth of God’s word divides between those who
adore and uphold God’s word, and to those who are offended by it like the
stench of death itself. Before showing examples of where offense is taken where
sin is revealed to the sinner, let’s look at what Christ says on the matter of
the Word aka sword.
Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did
not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to turn
a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36 and a man’s enemies will be
the members of his household.[l]
Matthew 10:34
A sword is divisive; it cuts and creates two sections. Much
like God’s word, it will cut to the heart and divide between those who love
God’s word and those who hate God’s word. This is why Christ explains the
nature of division between family members in the preceding verses. But this
still doesn’t get to the heart as to why people hate God’s word with such
ferocity. We must go deeper, we must examine the very nature of person’s being
in order to know anything of this offense and why anyone is offended by truth.
As I’ve mentioned in previous blog entries, Romans 1:17-32 and Romans 3:10-18
explain the sinful nature; how we were born into sin and hated God and with a
desire to hate God even more. But how do we know this offense is real? How do
we know that people just aren’t making the right ‘choice’? Well let’s consider
what happened with the first martyr the apostle Stephen but let’s focus not on
Stephen in particular but on Paul/Saul.
57 Then they screamed at the top of their voices, covered
their ears, and together rushed against him. 58 They threw him out of the city
and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their robes at the feet of a
young man named Saul. 59 They were stoning Stephen as he called out: “Lord
Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud
voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin!” And saying this, he fell
asleep. Acts 7:57-60
Here is Saul, a prominent man among the Pharisees and
Israelites who approved of the killing of Stephen. Was he offended of the
gospel message Stephen presented? Absolutely, but was Stephen wrong for
presenting the gospel in such a way? (I encourage my readers to read the
previous chapters). Not at all, as Christ said in Matthew 10:34 we will have
division, it is natural to expect offense when you deliver the truth of the
gospel and when you know people are given over to sin as they desire to sin
even more (Romans 1:17-32, Romans 3:10-18 and Ephesians 2:1-4).
Offense is to be expected when we as Christians present the
gospel, when we present the truth of God’s word. Consider what Christ says to the
Pharisees in Matthew 21:31
31 “Which of the two did his father’s will?”
“The first,” they said.
Jesus said to them, “I assure you: Tax collectors and
prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you!
But hang on a minute; can anyone really be saved if they’re
offended? Of course they can! Let’s consider Peter’s gospel presentation, this
is actually the first gospel presentation we have from Christ’ ascension into
Heaven in Acts 1. Once again I encourage my readers to examine the entire chapter:
“Therefore let all
the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you
crucified, both Lord and Messiah!” Acts 2:36
Were the Israelites offended at this? No, instead they were
convicted! The Lord had worked in their hearts convicting them of their sin and
in response to Peter’s gospel presentation they reply with beautiful words and
(I can only imagine) tear stained eyes “Brothers, what must we do?” (from verse
37).
Let me stress the point, we’re not to intentionally offend
anyone, that’s not what we’re called to. We’re still called to follow the 1
Corinthians 13 model of love, however if people are offended it is because they
love their sin and the truth is shining bright when all they want to do is hide
in the dark. Let us therefore preach the gospel with boldness, knowing that
it’s God who convicts and works in the sinner!
