The real reason so many people find Christianity offensive, and why they want nothing to do with it may not be what you think.
I’m convinced the one thing so many people find offensive about Christianity is “LOVE.” Yes, “love.”
You see, it’s because of love Christians must be willing to forgive. Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Him and said, “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. But many people don’t want to do that.
It’s because of love Christians must bless and treat their enemies with kindness. Romans 12:20, Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head”. But many people don’t want to do that.
It’s because of love Christians must rid their lives of racism and prejudice. James 2:1, My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. James 2:9, but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. But many people don’t want to do that.
It’s because of love Christians confront sin and sinners. Proverbs 27:6, Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Ephesians 5:11, And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. But many people don’t want to do that.
It’s because of love Christians practice church discipline. 1 Corinthians 5:4-5, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. But many people don’t want to do that.
It’s because of love Christians make great monetary sacrifices for the kingdom’s sake. Acts 4:32-37, Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But many people don’t want to do that.
It’s because of love Christians give others the benefit of the doubt and don’t judge their motives. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. But many people don’t want to do that.
It’s because of love Christians commit themselves to absolute allegiance and obedience to all that Jesus commands. John 14:15, If you love Me, keep My commandments. But many people don’t want to do that.
Do you see my point? It’s not that Christianity is too harsh, too narrow, too judgmental, too irrelevant; it’s because Christianity commands “LOVE” and love is hard to obey. That’s why Christianity is so offensive to some people. It’s because the two greatest commands of Christianity, which under-gird all of it, are to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves…and many people just don’t want to do that.
Give it some thought.
– by Steve Higginbotham
