CHAPTER 17
Offenses
“Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” (Mt 18:7 AV)
Understanding offenses is very important. As with every other subject it is important that we view offences from God’s perspective. Every one of us has experienced being on both ends of an offense. We can offend and we can be offended. There are offenses against people and there are offenses against God. There are those who are easily offended and then there are those who are not easily offended. Some are wounded by an offense, and some take an offense as a reason for wounding another. Some are focused on offenses against themselves. Others readily pick up the offenses of others.
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Mt 18:6 AV)
There is no better place to start in our discussion of offenses than to consider the effect we have on children. God is pretty protective of His little ones and has a serious warning for those who offend even one of these little ones. Obviously, God does not want any harm to come to His little children. The word “offend” in this text literally means to cause to stumble or sin.
“But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mt 19:14 NAS)
Children, especially little children, are most vulnerable to the effects of our speech and actions. They are learning about the world around them and developing their own character. It is obvious that this is the most important area in which we are to be concerned about offenses. This is where we need to be most careful to guard our speech and actions from offending. An offense at a tender young age can cause one of these little ones to be propelled on a destructive path that may be the cause of much pain for many people and end in eternal destruction.
I recall hearing a man tell of his experience as a young child. Coming from a family that did not attend church he had begun to attend a Sunday school through the invitation of a neighbor. He enjoyed Sunday school and the stories and songs he was learning. On one occasion his Sunday school teacher featured him and some of his friends on the platform for the whole congregation, singing some songs they had learned. It so happened that afterwards he overheard a couple of ladies discussing how inappropriately this young boy was dressed for being on the platform. He was humiliated and said he never darkened the door of a church again for the next twenty-five years.
Today dress codes are not as vogue in churches as they were in times past, but this story illustrates how little comments can have huge impacts on those that are young, sensitive, and vulnerable. These young lives are in the process of being molded into a good or bad character. They are very impressionable, which makes it important that we not only avoid bad impressions, but we are careful to inject good impressions. If we take to heart the seriousness of offending one of these little ones from Jesus’ warning, then we will avoid those caustic comments and actions that can have such devastating effects on these young lives. But, I think we also need to acknowledge that it is possible that we can inadvertently negatively affect these young lives without knowing it. It often seems like it is impossible to avoid misunderstandings that may cause a negative effect. I think the answer to this can be seen in the example Jesus gave for us. He encouraged that the children would come to Him. It is the positive input into these young lives that is most likely to clear up any misunderstandings they may have and avoid serious offenses.
Living in the Now
“If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” (Mt 5:23-24 NAS)
“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Ro 12:17-18 NAS)
“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14 NAS)
Offenses are not necessarily more serious as we grow older, but often people take them more seriously than they did as children. I have known people who have carried grudges for years or decades. Historically, there have been feuds that lasted for generations. But, as Christians we are instructed to handle offenses quickly and not let them fester. It does not matter if we were offended or if we were the offender, our instruction is to do everything in our power to settle the matter and be at peace with those we encounter. Sometimes there is a cost we have to pay, sometimes because of our offense and sometimes because of someone else’s sin. It may not seem fair that we pay the price for another’s offense, but it is often in the interest of the Kingdom of God that we do so. Remember this is what Christ did for us.
“Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Mt 18:21-22 NAS)
For those of us who have experienced the love of God, we are continually being amazed at the depth and breadth of the love of God. We are gaining an understanding of the words and love of Jesus that the world simply does not understand. We who have embraced His love are also learning to show that love to those who do not understand love. By the example of our Lord we have learned of this love, and by our example the world can glimpse what true love really is. Without love the instructions of our Lord seem unrealistic and unfair. It is the love of God that dwells within us that makes us willing and able to forgive those who offend us.
“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” (1Pe 4:8 NAS)
As a Christian, an ambassador of Christ, we can and should endure offenses, and love in return, as our Lord has by example shown us. These verses from I Peter at first seem unfair, ignoring justice. We know that God is a God of justice, and He has revealed that in the end justice will be served. But through an understanding of love and mercy we can see how, that through love, mercy can triumph over justice (James 2:13). It is only with this understanding that we can find acceptance of the following verses.
“For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,” (1Pe 2:19-21 NAS)
Let me summarize: do what is right, suffer for doing what is right, and then endure the suffering patiently. Let’s cap all that off with the statement that we have been called for this purpose. Why would we accept this calling that is so unfair? We should accept it for the same reason Christ did. It is all about love and the salvation of souls, that without the love of God, will face the judgment of God. Our suffering is for the purpose of giving people an example of the love of God, that they would understand that through His suffering, and sometimes ours, mercy can triumph over justice. Through repentance they can also become recipients of the grace of God for salvation.
The bottom line is that we as Christians cannot be easily offended, but are willing to suffer offense for the sake of others. A volume could be written on this subject that is rooted in the love of God that has come to us through Christ Jesus and His sacrificial death on the cross for us. This love that is birthed also in us is the source of our love for our brethren. It is also the source of our love for those around us, and our desire to share with them the love of God that provides salvation for all who will receive it. I leave you with this brief instruction of how we as Christians should deal with offenses that can be categorized as sin, and move on to balance this with the world’s perception of offenses.
Viewing Offenses From the High Ground
“So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.” (Ro 14:19-21 NAS)
From a Biblical perspective, that which is offensive is either sinning or an action that causes someone to stumble in their faith. Sin is an offense to God for it violates the Law of Love. The violation of God’s Law is injurious and destructive to the creation of God of which we were intended to be the crowning glory. As we mature, our vision expands and we can see more clearly the effects of sin. But God’s view is inclusive of all that is and all that will be. Our faith is based upon this fact that God knows all, and if He forbids us to do something it is because it is not good for us, for it violates the Law of Love. God has revealed His law through His Word, exposing sin and evil and the inevitable judgment for sin. As we mature as believers following the example of our Lord we will not be easily offended, for our aim and goal will be the salvation of souls, trusting God that our salvation is secure. That is why we will be able to bear the offensive nature of the unredeemed, as Christ so graciously modeled for us.
The subject of offenses in Scripture is often focused on the young and the immature. Jesus used children to emphasize the care we need to exercise on their behalf. Here that principle is being applied to those who are young in the faith, those who may have weak faith. Whether we are talking about the physical or the spiritual, youth and immaturity does not have the knowledge to always discern between good and bad. We often have guidelines for children so that they avoid situations they may face for which they are not prepared for. If we look at the history of any church organization we will see guidelines that are not directly from the Scripture. If we truly understand the principles of God as revealed in Scripture we may find fault with some of these guidelines. We may feel that they impose restrictions on our behavior that God never intended. But what the Scripture is trying to teach us here in Romans is that our focus needs to first consider those of tender young faith. As mature members of the family of faith it is our foremost duty to protect the young. If that restricts our freedom, then so be it. If my behavior could possibly cause someone to stumble in their faith, then I better not do it.
Offenses do come about through the violation of God’s commands. But even if we are not in violation of a literal command of God, we can be violating the Law of Love if our actions cause someone weak in faith to stumble.
“For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And thus, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble.” (1Co 8:11-13 NAS)
Ceding the High Ground on Offenses
“And after He called the multitude to Him, He said to them, “Hear, and understand. “Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” Then the disciples *came and *said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” (Mt 15:10-12 NAS)
If we take the subject of offenses to the low ground we will stir up a hornets’ nest. Historically, offenses have been the cause of much discontent and grief. Offenses have been the cause of hatred that has resulted in feuds, duels, and wars. As residents of the High Ground, we are to be above this and understand the root of many of these offenses is the bondage to sin and its affects. Love enables us to tolerate offense directed toward us. Love also compels us to avoid becoming an offense. But we must hold to the high ground or love will be consumed by hate.
Remember that offenses from a Biblical perspective are either sin or the cause of someone stumbling and falling from grace. Conversely, the world’s concept of an offense is something that violated their personal desire. Their desire is usually that they feel good about themselves and that everyone would agree with them. In a previous section I identified this in the search for identity and affirmation. Both of these can only be satisfied in our reconciliation with God. But without God this desire is fueled to produce pride and arrogance that often is offended, resulting in hatred to avoid depression.
From the high ground of God’s Word we can understand what really is offensive, but from the world’s perspective an offense has a completely different definition. If we allow ourselves to be drawn down to their perspective concerning offenses, the gospel will be turned on its head. As a Christian we are to strive to not be offensive to others. From the high ground that means that we do not sin against others or cause them to stumble or sin. But from the world’s perspective being offensive is violating someone’s personal comfort. As a light in a dark place, that makes us and our message of the Gospel offensive. Jesus’ words were offensive to the Pharisees because they revealed truth that they did not want to hear. When we share the Words of God in a sinful world it is going to offend them, whether they accept it as truth or not. But from God’s perspective we are not being offensive, but rather we are sharing the Love of God.
Again, I direct our attention to Jesus. Jesus never allowed the opinions of others to alter His words or His mission, and neither should we. The revelation of God reveals sin in a sinful world. It is sin that is the offense, not the exposure of it. We need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus as our example, and keep our feet planted in the high moral ground of His Word. If we do not we will be intimidated by the voices of this world that would attempt to silence the message that has come down from heaven. Jesus preached righteousness and lived righteousness, and we should do the same. Jesus’ message is one of redemption, reconciling man to God. That reconciliation comes through acknowledgment of sin, repentance, and cleansing from all unrighteousness, and that is offensive to those who revel in their sin and pride.
As you can see, our instructions about offenses from the Scripture are totally turned upside down if we substitute the world’s concept of offense with God’s definition of offense. We need to be very careful lest we cede the high ground and allow the world’s perspectives to affect our speech and actions which are dictated by the high moral values revealed in God’s Word.
“Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” (Lu 7:22-23 AV)
“When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?” (Joh 6:61 AV)
Happy is the man who is not offended by our Lord Jesus Christ. From the world’s perspective Jesus and His message are offensive. Jesus did not conform to the expectations of the religious world, and it offended them. The righteousness of God that came to us in human form was offensive to standards of men. Jesus came with a message of mercy, grace, and love, and yet people were offended. Why were they offended? They were offended because their sin was exposed and the reception of God’s love was contingent upon their repentance. Jesus brought love on a higher level. Pride and short-sightedness cause people to seek comfort in their sin. Jesus’ love came to rescue people from sin and set them free from the bondage to it. Happy is the person who does not find this offensive.
The question is: does Jesus offend you? From the world’s perspective God’s judgments are offensive. But, if we view Jesus from the high ground we see that all He is and all He does stems from the Love of God that has come down to us. There is nothing offensive about that. This is the message from heaven that we are to share with the world. If we allow the offenses of men to compromise the message of the Gospel, then the Love of God will be to no effect. In essence, we will be merely comforting people on their way to hell, rather than pointing them to Jesus who can save them from sin and death and provide eternal life.