Offensive

Jumping to Conclusions

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Many times, the question, “How could you?” is asked prematurely in situations. It is a query of suspicion that has somewhat already placed the blame before the facts have been gathered. It is an assessment that has been made prior to carefully weighing all the evidence.

The Israelites had taken over Canaan’s land. Joshua had divvied up the territorial boundaries of the land each tribe was to possess. Those tribes that had been given an allotment by Moses on the east side of the Jordan (Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) were returning there to the wives, children, and cities they had temporarily left behind to fight for their brothers.

One the way back home, these 2½ tribes set up an altar by the Jordan. After hearing of this, the immediate response of the tribes west of the Jordan was to gather the assembly of Israel together at Shiloh to make war on Reuben, Gad, and the ½ tribe of Manasseh. The greater part of Israel was zealous for the Law of God and was not going to tolerate what they perceived to be a breach of the covenant, an act of infidelity.

To their credit, the Israelites sent ambassadors to talk with their (wayward) brothers before shooting the first arrow, slinging the first stone, or thrusting the first sword. These representatives leveled the charge: “The whole assembly of the Lord says: ‘How could you break faith with the God of Israel like this? How could you turn away from the Lord and build yourselves an altar in rebellion against him now?’” (Joshua 22:16).

To their credit, the Israelites also gave them an opportunity to come over and live among them where the true altar of God was set up at Shiloh. Their problem was, however, that they had assumed too much. They had made a rash judgment based on the way things appeared on the surface.

The 2½ tribes responded: “The Mighty One, God, the Lord! The Mighty One, God, the Lord! He knows! And let Israel know!” (Joshua 22:22). Then they proceeded to explain that they had not built the altar for sacrificial purposes as the rest of Israel had presumed. Israel had misjudged their motives. Rather, they had built the altar as a witness that they were also a part of Israel. They too had a right to bring their sacrifices to the sanctuary of the Lord. Israel rejoiced at their response.

This story is convicting when it comes to interpersonal relationships, especially inside the body of Christ. We discover the following principles:

  • We should suspend judgment until we have gathered all the facts.
  • We should go to those who are caught in or suspected of sin.
  • We should not be accusatory in our approach to others (“How could you?”).
  • We should offer those caught in sin a way of escape.
  • We should rejoice when we find that they are right with God.
  • We should take solace in the fact that whenever others misunderstand us, God knows our hearts.

Taking Offense

Posted on by Bob Mathews

It seems many are searching today for an unoffensive religion. One that is all inclusive, non-confrontational, and non-judgmental. Jesus is recast into a mold of complete gentleness and acceptance. Preaching is simply “feel good,” designed to satisfy what people want to hear. Paul warned Timothy of this even back when the church wasn’t far from inception;

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

However, the Author of true Christianity was one who offended many people. Jesus offended the residents of his hometown Nazareth by his wisdom and miracles. “And they took offense at him” (Matt. 13:57). Jesus’ exposure of false religious traditions certainly did not please people. The disciples, apparently concerned about Jesus’ popularity, came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” (Matt. 15:12). And even Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ question would have many calling Him insensitive or intolerant. He says, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matt. 15:13-14)

Again, in Luke 11 Jesus doesn’t hold back to save the feelings of the Pharisees (Read Luke 11:37-44). After Jesus had denounced the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, an expert in the Law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also” (Luke 11:45). And when we continue reading we see that Jesus does not try to save their feelings either. Jesus, knowing the hearts of men, boldly accused the Jewish leaders of being “sons of hell,” “whitewashed tombs,” and a “brood of vipers” (Matt. 23:15, 27, 33).

Don’t mistake forgiveness for tolerance. Jesus is one who will forgive our sins and trespasses but He will not tolerate them.

The Christian life will not be void of confrontation and judgment calls. Being faithful to the Lord may bring you difficulty in the classroom, at work, at home, and maybe even in the church (see Matt. 10:17-39)! Instead of looking to win popularity contests or being people pleasers, let us set our sights on pleasing the Father. Because if there is any offense we should really concern ourselves with it should be that of offending our heavenly Father, the only one who can destroy both body and soul.

Don’t let tolerance for evil cast you away from what is truly good. Don’t let worrying about being offensive to some stop you from standing up to confess Christ. Christ is here for you not for sin.