Offended Or In Rest?

It's interesting what offends people in the heart. Today, we live in a world where offense is being taken right and left about a myriad of social, religious, cultural, gender, political, and biblical issues. In gentleness, being offended is a sign of not being rooted and secure in the truth of God. I know that's offensive, yet that was and still is proven by Jesus. He was not offended in the slightest during his life and death because he was rooted in the truth. Even our sin does not offend him....AMAZINGLY! Because of that pimps, prostitutes, pornographers, pedophiles, homosexuals, adulterers, transgendered, hypocrites, liars, thieves, the prideful, complainers, murderers, the greedy, the lazy, the self righteous....all of us sinners can be rescued by Jesus out of those ways; out of the same world; out of the same boat. Is that Offensive? Today that is very offensive, but at the right time in every situation Jesus responded in truth: loving, correcting and even rebuking. He never was offended by people, and he was not afraid to speak in authority about it. He proclaimed  to be "The Way, The Truth and The Life", and for all to repent of their sins, but people were offended by that because those words spoke contrary to the way of the world. The offended usually do not realize the eternal gravity of sin's wage of death NOR the eternal gravity of Christ's perfect love in salvation. Everyone takes offense, but Christ does not. What if this doesn't make us stop and think about our positions on everything?  What are you offended by? Does our world want the truth proclaimed or silenced? Does the world love the things of God? The answer to those questions are obvious, but is it offensive or loving to warn, "Don't refuse to believe the truth of God!" Remember, Jesus was in much sorrow over Jerusalem's rejection of him, but he wasn't offended. He still went to the cross. It's the same with our hearts. He's sorrowful when we reject him, but he isn't offended. He did what was right and true and still died and rose for us!

Ultimately, it is a blessing to get to the root of a matter, because then you are really understanding it. And if you are understanding it the next step is to humbly adjust and rest in the truth on that issue. You have finally died to it and can let God's truth speak to it no matter if that position is cool or unpopular in the world. It's better to believe and live in the truth then in lies. If my heart is offended, I am off of the truth some how, and I have to work to learn what the Holy Spirit is saying about that matter in the Bible. 

“Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?””

Matthew 15:12 NLT

“So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.”

1 Corinthians 1:23 NLT

“And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.””

Matthew 13:57 NLT

“Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.”

Mark 6:3 NLT

“Dear brothers and sisters, if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended.”

Galatians 5:11 NLT

“Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?” John 6:61 NLT

“Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.”

John 8:40 NLT

“But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.””

Acts of the Apostles 28:22 NLT

“Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

Psalms 139:24 NLT

“I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them!”

Psalms 109:4 NLT

“I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.” John 12:47 NLT

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13 NLT

“And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me. ’”” Matthew 11:6 NLT

“Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too. And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.””

Acts of the Apostles 17:6-7 NLT

“When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.”

Isaiah 53:11 NLT