Don’t Get Offended

Other than the fact that He was God, I don’t know how Jesus did it.  That is, I don’t know how He tolerated being in the same room with people who were unholy by nature.  I don’t know how He could eat with them, talk with them, and worship with them.

You see, if we really believe that Jesus and God are one and the same, then we have to believe Jesus feels the same way about sin that God does.  And God’s stance on the matter is pretty clear: He hates sin.  He cannot tolerate its presence.  Sin results in death and sinful beings cannot look upon the face of God and live.

Jesus was the sum total of all that is holy and terribly magnificent.  And yet He ate with whores and tax collectors (read:traitors).  He sat at the table with Pharisees, religious hypocrites consumed with self-righteousness.  He loved Judas, the man who betrayed Him.  He restored Peter, the man who denied Him.  He drank from the Samaritan woman’s cup.  He allowed Himself to be arrested, beaten, and crucified.  And Jesus – 100% God – did not destroy anyone with holy fire.

Although their presence offended Him, He chose to give up His right to be offended.  Why?  Because of love.  Love caused Him to suspend His right to be offended so that they could experience Him.

Love is the reason He still suspends offense.  He still wants us to experience Him.

We need to pay it forward.

If you chose to work with people who do not follow Christ, you will be offended.  If you chose to walk with the Online Generation, you will read things that make your blood boil.  But you have to love them more than you are offended if you want them to have the slightest chance of experiencing Christ’s love.

I offend Christ every time I chose my way instead of His.  That is, I offend Him everyday.  God’s love is the only thing that saves me from destruction.

It is the only thing that saves you from destruction.

Pay it forward.  Choose love over offense.