Offended?  Not So Much. 

I hear a lot today about Christians being subject to ridicule, rejection and even mockery.  This is nothing new.  In many ways, things are no different than they were 2000 years ago.  Believers have always been subject to what we would consider unfair treatment.  And many times, I’m sure that’s true.  But I would suggest that sometimes we can be overly sensitive and assume more than the other person intended.  On other occasions, we may bring this upon ourselves because of the attitude and lifestyle we demonstrate, or by our lack of compassion for those who might view life differently. 

This is not to say that we should compromise on biblical principles.  It also does not mean that we should condone those things that Scriptures teach are clearly wrong.  But as believers, we should always remember that it is God’s place to condemn, not ours.  And when we do feel compelled to address a matter, do we speak in love, or do we speak to win an argument?  Worse yet, do we speak from an attitude that believes that we are more righteous than our neighbor? 

I often need to be reminded that apart from the grace of Christ in my life, I would be like many of those who offend me.  Sometimes I’m sure that my attitude and behavior are worse than those of people I am prone to criticize.  But, through the work of the Holy Spirit, I am constantly aware of my shortcomings.  When I taught a Sunday School class of younger men, I always shared that if every aspect of my life was projected on a large screen for all to see, I’d have to close my Bible, drop my notes, bow my head, and leave the room.  

On the other hand, if by some miracle, I could attain a perfection even close to that of Christ, I would still be subject to ridicule, rejection, and mockery.  How do I know this?  I know because of the words of the gospels themselves.  The Perfect One suffered rejection, mockery abuse, and on and on.  He deserved none of this. But nowhere do we see him speak angrily to those who persecuted him.  His anger is always directed toward the self-righteous religious leaders of his day.  He is compassionate toward those who are remorseful and repentant.  John makes that clear in the following passage.  

^“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NASB) 

Also, James 4:6 tells us “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 

I suppose I need to get back to my original point which raised the question, why am I offended?  Am I offended because someone has been critical of me?  Or am I offended because someone is critical of Jesus?  If I’m offended because of me, I’ll be angry.  If I’m offended because of Jesus, I’ll respond much like He did, in love and forgiveness and in prayer that they will see the light. Is it painful to see His name slandered, mocked, and ridiculed?  Of course it is.  Has He called upon me to take vengeance upon those who do so?  No, He has not. 

Peter understood suffering and persecution.  Here’s what he said.  

“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you.” (1 Peter 4:14 NASB).   

But then, he issues a warning in the next two verses. “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.” (1 Peter 4:15-16 NASB) 

The suffering or ridicule I may have endured pales in comparison to that of the audience Peter was writing to.  When it has occurred in my life, it was probably because I was that troublesome meddler he was referring to.  In other words, I probably brought it on myself. 

Please understand that I am not suggesting that many people have not truly suffered.  You may be going through a difficult time even now.  You may have been mistreated and truly experienced things you did not deserve.  I pray that’s not the case.  My purpose is not to make light of that suffering, but only to encourage us to keep things in perspective.  

Suffering on some level is to be expected.  It will come.  Offenses are often real.  But God calls upon me to focus on my own failings.  I don’t need to spend my time defending and proving myself.  We have a strong, loving, and compassionate Savior who fights those battles for us.  I simply need to step out of the way and let Him fight those battles for me.  He is able.