That's Offensive, Stop that!

"If one desires to not have a controversial ministry then don't preach the Bible." (Steve Lawson)

You know... our tendency is to skip over the topics and issues that make us uncomfortable. Here is the funny thing, you will be offended by what I have to say and the content is about "controversy." Haha! No one likes confrontation because it doesn't make people "feel good" or it "hurts their feelings." Now I agree, we must use sanctified discretion and discernment at all times and there is a time and place for everything. And we should not seek controversy just because we get a kick out of stirring the hornets nest. But if you call yourself a believer, understand that you will eventually upset the world with what you proclaim. Unless you have befriended the world, then you should analyze how you are living your life (James 4:4). It is one thing to "enjoy" making people upset, but it is another thing to stir up controversy with the truth.

The Gospel of Christ is controversial in itself. No one wants to hear they are sinners headed straight for eternal damnation. But you cannot be ignorant to the fact that your closest friend could be lost for eternity or that your brother/sister in Christ could be in sin. The doors of mercy are open to those who will repent and believe. That is the truth that we proclaim but it this the truth that the world (even the so-called "church") doesn't want to hear.

Isn't the life of someone you love worth more than a few moments of awkwardness? Think about it. Loving someone is telling them that their wrong (then showing them how to live rightly). Of course, there are extremes and dangers you must look out for. You do this without any hypocrisy (Matt. 7:1-5) and with the utmost humility and respect (2 Tim. 2:4-6). But I think, we as believers, have gone to the extreme of complacency and not caring about others enough to get involved with their lives. And we have to, if we love them. Ask yourself this, if you have embraced the Gospel/scriptures as the truth of God, why would you shy away from telling them that truth? As the Lord said, will not the truth "set us free?" Then why?

Why shy away? Are we afraid? Are we too self conscious? Are we idolizing our self-image? Loved ones, that type of selfishness is a something that the Lord does not want us to have. To correct others and to proclaim the truth of God is to love them as the Lord calls you to love. J.K Edwards got it right when he said, "God doesn't care about the reputation of His preacher any more than the sensitivities of the congregation. All God cares about is the effective communication of His message." It is about changing lives and making disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. The great commission isn't "Go and make socially and politically correct disciples of all nations, baptize them if it is okay with everyone else, and teach them only to observe the things that I have taught you which don't hurt people's feelings."

Beloved, if you proclaim the truth, you will offend the masses. In fact, you will "upset the world" (Acts 17:6). The Lord cares about getting His message to the people and not about who He offends in the process.

We must proclaim all of it! The Lord does not care about human perception or being politically correct, He cares about holiness. Do we sometimes sacrifice liberties to win others to Christ? Yes, this is true. But understand that culture never ever supersedes the authority of the Word of God. Never! We teach nonbelievers that they must believe in Christ and we teach Christians that they must be holy. Not as a way to salvation, but as a response to GRACE. The Lord wants people to be saved and He wants His people to be sanctified.

So beloved, before you think of folding, bending, or even compromising, remember that the words of the Apostle Paul and how he did not stop from declaring the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).

As you walk through work, school, church, and life in general, always think about this: God wants us to declare all of the truth, even if it means offending the person next to you.