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Why Christ Offends
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Luke 24:44-49 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (NRSV)
Listen to the radio broadcast of Why Christ Offends
Download audio fileOne of the key strategies of those who oppose Christianity is to “jam” us whenever we speak up about the things of God, to shut us down by creating an environment of deep offense toward what we say.
After all, they argue, isn’t the God you believe in the God of love? And love means acceptance. Love means tolerance. Love means inclusion, diversity and all that stuff you hear them talk about.
But love also means speaking the truth. My parents loved me, and yet they didn’t accept my bad behaviour, tolerate my bad attitudes and rebellion. Just as well … but still, the world chooses to be offended by the Gospel. The question is, why? Charles Spurgeon explains: “Christ offends men because His Gospel is intolerant of sin”.
It’s the intolerance of Jesus toward sin that makes Him such a stumbling block.
Luke 24:44-49 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (NRSV)
Did you catch what Jesus said there? Repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations. There’s no forgiveness without repentance. The Gospel is indeed intolerant of sin. That’s what you and I are called to proclaim.
So don’t be surprised when people are offended.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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