Offending people

Here is something I read on Facebook.

Offending people

If I profess with the loudest voice and the clearest exposition, every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not professing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christianity.

“This is not about money or bargaining power or contracts. It’s about what I believe in and never compromising that, because my faith is far more important to me than my career and always will be.” – Israel Folau

Israel Folau, a professional Australian rugby player was sacked for committing a so-called high-level breach of code of conduct. What was his offense? In summary, he posted on his social media page about the love of God in Christ, and the damnation of hell of the unrepentant sinners with the following Bible passage in subjection:

“Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

Someone said, “That list condemns EVERYONE. I was once offended by it, thankfully!! And saved by Jesus. Thank you Lord!!!” Rugby Australia however, denounced the post by Israel as homophobic. To be crystal clear, believing that homosexual acts are sinful does not mean Christians hate homosexuals, just as believing abortions are sinful does not mean we hate women who have abortions. We are called to LOVE ALL PEOPLE but not at the expense of abandoning what is right and embracing what is wrong.

There was once a preacher by the name of Peter Cartwright. One morning before Cartwright was to preach, he was told that General Andrew Jackson was going to be in the service and was asked not to say anything to offend him. When Cartwright got up to preach, he said: “I am told that General Andrew Jackson is in the congregation. Andrew Jackson will go to hell if he does not commit his life to Life of Jesus Christ.” People were aghast. But after the service was over, Jackson approached Cartwright and shook his hand, saying, “If I had 100 men like you in my regiment, I could take on the world.”

The true gospel is offensive to the world. But many Christians walk on eggshells, avoiding any subject that might offend. They never speak of sin, hell, judgement, atonement, the cross, the resurrection, or the blood of Jesus. At some point, we Christians would have to accept that our faith in Yahweh can put us in violation of the law, at which point we need to choose which law to follow – God or men’s? Christians in the first century went to the lions because they wouldn’t offer their pinch of incense in worship of the Roman Emperor. In that sense, Mr. Folau got off lightly!

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” – Deitrich Bonhoeffer

In Christ Alone