The Gospel of Christ is Offensive

 (Romans 1:16-24)

 

You don’t have to be offensive towards unbelievers because the gospel of Christ is already offensive against sin and a society in rebellion against Christ. Now all humans are born with a sinful nature, so no one is good (in the moral sense). Good actions do not make anyone good. Only God is good. The Gospel itself challenges the lifestyle of sin, unholiness and rebellion against God. The unbelievers’ conscience gives them trouble and uneasiness because they know, deep down, that God exists. But they make (and continue to make) decisions not to acknowledge this truth of God’s existence and power. They make their own moral rules that changes with feelings, modernization and selfish preservation. They suffer this pain of the conscience but refused to acknowledge it in their hearts. The do not want God's moral standard and make their own. They chose to ignore or deny it. They develop all kinds of philosophies to justify their rebellion against God. This is what the Apostle Paul addressed in Romans 1:16-23

 

Romans 1:18 (KJV) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

 

Romans 1:20 (NLT) For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine

nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God.

 

Romans 1:23 (NKJV)

and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

 

As the denial of God deepens, at some point, God will give them up to their rebellion. Their conscience becomes hardened. They will have no excuse that they were not confronted with the truth of the Gospel.

 

See Romans 1:24 (NKJV) Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

 

So, what is the task of the believer in Christ? God requires Christians to speak the truth in love as they contend for the faith in the Gospel of Christ. We must explain what we believe and why we believe in the Gospel of Christ in a genuine gentle winsome manner. 

 

Hear what 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV) says But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always [be] ready to [give] a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

 

The unbeliever is already standing against the God of the universe, and that is offensive enough. We don’t need to add an offensive attitude to them, we contend for the truth of the Gospel of Christ with truth and love. We do this because love demands that we try to lead them away from an eternal hell and separation from God. The unbeliever may say that hell is a myth, but did you wonder why the majority would like to know if there is life after death? The conscience! You see hell is real and was made for the devil and his demonic angels and the unrepentant people. 

 

Look at these scriptures: 

 

Matthew 25:41 (KJV) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

 

Revelation 21:8 (NKJV) “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

 

But God’s desire is that all mankind be saved. 

 

2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) says The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

 

So do not be offensive to unbelievers because the gospel of Christ is already offensive enough to a lifestyle of sin and rebellion to God.