Politically Correct vs. Eternally Correct
“And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.” Luke 7:23
What does it mean to be offended at the words or actions of another? Webster’s Dictionary gives us the definition of “offend” as “causing displeasure or resentment in another by wounding his feelings or by a breach of his sense of propriety”. In other words, we are offended when we hear someone say or see someone do something that goes against what we consider to be our moral standards. If we abhor vulgarity, then we will be offended when we hear obscene words or see obscene gestures. It has even gotten to the point in our so-called “politically correct” world that many take offense at another’s viewpoint or beliefs. Free speech is certainly being attacked on all sides. It’s almost been carried so far that folks get offended if we do not think, speak, dress, believe, or act like they do.
There were certainly many in Jesus’ day who were offended at Him. He wasn’t “politically correct” or even “religiously correct” according to the traditions of the self-righteous religious leaders. They were like many of our politicians today: “do as we say, not as we do”. Jesus pegged them right from start. He told His disciples and the folks who had gathered to hear Him, “Whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” He went on to say that they force heavy burdens on others, but they wouldn’t move them with one finger. (Matthew 23:3-4) This just goes to prove that “times change but people do not”.
Jesus wasn’t “politically correct”, but He definitely was “eternally correct”. He told the truth, but people did not want to hear the truth. They wanted to continue in their sins, just like folks do today. Sinners do not like to feel conviction. The name of Jesus brings conviction, and thus people are offended. It is how they try to avoid facing the guilt of their sin. Sinners feel uncomfortable around the pushy, know-it-all Christians, and that is understandable, but I think they are perhaps a little puzzled around those who display a quiet and gentle spirit because they see that there is something that the believer has that they do not have. When we truly take on the description as Jesus put it, “the salt of the earth”, (Matthew 5:13) then perhaps others will thirst for what we have.
If someone says something that offends us, we immediately go on the defensive to protect our shattered egos rather than opening our hearts and minds to examine the truth of the other’s words. We might be offended at their words, but they might just be right. Jesus desires that we would be honest with Him and with ourselves, heeding His words and avoiding offense. The folks that follow Jesus’ admonition are the ones who are blessed.