"UP YOURS" - AN OFFENSIVE WEB LOG

What is up with this blog being offensive? Is it really necessary to be so? Well, a quick look at a few references may indeed show that offense is a vital and intended effect accompanying the preaching of the gospel.

The word offense is the Greek "skandalon." Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words states: "In NT skandalon is always used metaphorically, and ordinarily of anything that arouses prejudice, or becomes a hindrance to others, or causes them to fall away. Sometimes the hindrance is in itself good, and those stumbled by it are the wicked." (emphasis mine)

As a word of information. I am aware that offense is a football term. I am not using it as such here. The New King James spells the word "skandalon" as offense. I am also aware that there are verses stating to not cause offense by our words or actions. This post is strictly relating to offense as used in the following and other like-minded Bible verses. Thanks to my friend Chimer for reading pre-post e-mails and pointing out the needed clarification. 

Romans 9:33 "As it is written: behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense. And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."

Galatians 5:11 "And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased."

1 Peter 2:8 "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense."

In light of these verses and Vine's definition we may understand that faith in Christ and His death on Calvary's cross is offensive to many, even though all true followers of Christ would agree that both Christ and the cross are very important to preaching the true gospel.

In my first post, "Introducing "UP YOURS" Web log", I quoted from John 10:10 that Jesus came that "You might have life and have it more abundantly." My paraphrase stated that Jesus came to "up your quality of life. So...UP YOURS!" However, this will only become true as we learn of Him and His ways and live our lives as genuine disciples of His teachings. And that my friend is the "skandalon", the offense upon which many stumble. Why would anyone stumble over that which is declared to give them more abundant life? Why are Jesus and the cross offensive? Who is offended by them?

The obvious answer is that unbelievers are offended by the gospel. Indeed they are and I will address this momentarily. However, the ones most offended are supposed BELIEVERS in the gospel. Why do I say this? I answer that in a future post.

What is it about Jesus and the cross that offends unbelievers? Exactly that. They DO NOT believe. They DO NOT believe they are without hope and without God. They DO NOT believe in God's coming wrath. They DO NOT believe Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. They DO NOT believe God Who cannot lie and do believe the god who can only lie. What is the lie they choose to believe? The same lie Adam and Eve did. "HAS GOD SAID?" (Genesis 3:3-4) YES! God HAS said and to believe otherwise is eternal death. God HAS said faith in the cross and the crucified Christ is the only true salvation. The opinions, good works and vain philosophies of men are worthless before God. Jesus said the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin and that sin is "They DO NOT believe in Me." (John 16:9) The pride of men makes Christ and the cross a "skandalon" for they DO NOT believe they are sinners and only God's Son Jesus Christ can save them from judgment. Believing the lie they live and die without hope and without God. That, dear reader is the power of the god of this world. The Bible says when men do not believe the gospel it is because they have been blinded to it by the god of this world.

A weak gospel will not dispel the blinding darkness in their minds. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a "stronger man" gospel, for it is the POWER of God to save men from the kingdom of darkness and deliver them into the Kingdom of His Son. THIS Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached to all the world and then the end shall come. Not in traditions of men and religious ritual but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

Where are those who believe there is more to faith in Jesus Christ than ritual and repetition? Men who are not offended but empowered by the Christ and His cross to see captives free, blind men see and demons flee. Jesus said, "ALL THINGS are possible to him who believes." Do YOU have faith in God for ALL THINGS? If not...Jesus said, "You can UP YOURS!"

Well, that's enough. My mind needs a break.

Speaking of which...what's on your mind?

Leave it in a comment.