Offended?

HOW often do we hear someone or ourselves say that we are offended by something? In this day and age we seem to hear that a lot. Being offended means to be resentful or annoyed, typically as a result of a perceived insult. The adjective, being offended, is a personal perception or emotional response to something that a person finds hurtful or against their moral and ethical standards. Somehow that has changed in society today where people are offended by everything and have lost standards of right living especially when people are offended by people actually living a right life.  
  
 Offended by Objects
Society has come to a point where objects that point to our past are offensive and are torn down. Offended by an object???? Then do not look at it. An object that is made by the hands of man that does not have breath cannot defend itself nor hide away. The objects made by man and can be avoided simply by ignoring it. The person that made it is the one that caused the offense not the object. Just don’t look at it, make a statement but your personal feelings do not need to be pushed on others.  
Okay, I get it people do not want to be reminded of the past but I ask this, “How can we make progress for a united people if we keep looking back and are offended by something our ancestors did. Those objects that may have been built to glorify are now reminders of the past so we can choose to either learn from it or not.  
For some who are not affected either way, we see those statues, carvings, paintings and tapestries as reminders so that we do not repeat the past. Removal of those things from public view could incite eventual repeats of past discretion against others that are caused by the people who removed them because they were offended. They don’t learn.  

What about the Offense of Sin

   If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. Matthew 5:29-30

Christians should not tolerate sin as an integral part of their lives. Sin is all around us and if we are to protect ourselves from sin, we should remove ourselves from the situation or person that caused us to be tempted. Overcoming personal sin is as painful as losing a part of the physical body. From a spiritual standpoint, it is better to forsake sinful pleasures than to lose salvation when you stay in sin.
When a person in Body of Christ falls into sin we are obligated to help the person purge the sin from the individual. If that does not work and the infection spreads then the person who is living in that sin must be purged from the Body. It is a very hard thing to do but it must be done. The church today is so infected by sinful behaviors that Scripture says God abhors and condemns. These behaviors have infected the Body so bad that we have taken the sin to be an acceptable behavior and welcome the boasting and discussing of these things as if they are normal. WE ARE DOOMED if we continue to accept bad as good and good as bad.

I’m Offended
They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. John 15:18

We want to welcome all people and bring everyone to Christ which is what we are supposed to do. What we are not supposed to do is let the infection of personal sins spread and become the replacement theological thoughts. God’s Word has been perverted so bad that we have forgotten what is right. Yes we are to welcome sinners but they must learn to work on ridding themselves of sin and not openly talk about certain behaviors as if to glorify them.
The Body of Christ should not tolerate sin in its members, any more than an individual should tolerate sin in his life.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

The healthy church bodies that see the sinfulness grow, tell the person or persons to leave which leads the church to be ridiculed. If a sinner ridicules a church then shower the sinner with tough love. Do not give in to the demands of society but be rebellious and continue in the right ways according to Scripture. Do not give up truth, embrace it as you embrace the Father. Show mercy (you know, kill the sin with kindness) so that the person may see the wrong in his/her ways.     
  
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 1 Peter 4:14
 
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.  Ephesians 4:18
 
Certain religious organizations stay alive through blending with the desires of society. Did not God, then Jesus, then all the Apostles tell us not to do this? Brothers and Sisters, live for God not for man. This life is temporary bliss, living for and with God is eternal. When a church becomes a campus, search the true meaning of said campus. Does the place develop God fearing Disciples or does it develop followers who just learn and not do?
If something offends speak out once then leave what has offended you behind. If it is person who consistently speaks offensively and does not leave you alone, report him or her to someone in authority. There are rules, regulations, and places that take care of these folks. Do not be offended by an object that cannot change on its own. Take yourself out of the equation and away from the object. If it is in a place that you need to be in frequently, ask that it be removed and placed elsewhere so those not offended can still see it. Things are temporary, God is Eternal.

Blessings,
 Rob, Servant of God