Why So Offended??

I am beginning to notice a trend. Everybody is angry. Everyone is up in arms about this and about that! Good grief. Try to have a discussion with anyone anymore. You must agree with everything they say or there will be a war!

Now there are some things to be angry about. For example- the mass slayings of people in the Sudan, murders and abuse of young children, genocide in the middle east, racism, sexism....and the list could go on. If the anger produced from those sorts of horrendous things spurs you to speak up or take action in a civil way that produces change that is great! If seeing other people suffer makes you want to help them, that is wonderful. That kind of anger is a good thing. It is productive. That kind of anger isn't anger at an individual but at a situation that is harmful. Jesus was angry when he came into the temple and saw it being desecrated by the money changers. This was His house and it was supposed to be a house of worship. How would you like it if you came home and someone was doing some vile thing in your house? He got mad. He took action. He didn't kill anybody, but He had them scrambling to pick up their things and get on out of there. You go Jesus!

John 2
13 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

Now the kind of anger I am referring to is different. It is the kind of anger we experienced as kids when no one wanted to play the game we wanted to play so we got all snotty, took our ball and headed home. Hmmm....we thought, see if I ever play with you again! Come on now, you know we all did it. Ok, maybe it was just a few of us, certainly not you. That is a sinful, immature kind of anger and it is very unproductive. It produces no positive change.

People are going to disagree with me. Since I am a rather opinionated individual I experience this now and then. That doesn't give me the right to become offended and disrespectful towards you. You don't have to be on the same page as me for me to be ok with you. I hope I don't have to agree with you for you to still love and respect me. I have a responsibility as a believer in Jesus Christ to forfeit my right to offense. This was an incredibly hard concept for me to grasp when I first became a christian. I have also never been real fond of the word forfeit. I kinda like winning. Wow! I have no rights. I could feel my neck stiffen this first time I heard this. Ouch. I had grown up being all about my rights. Now you are telling me I have none. I could hear a small voice in my head (you may know that Voice) saying "it is time to grow up girl."

2 Corinthians 8:9:9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

If I am sold out to Christ and I am to be "Christ-like" I need to be poor in the sense that I don't hang on to anything or anyone but Him. That includes my rights. Wow, what a concept. He gave up his rights hanging on that cross. He had an opinion, he voiced it, people didn't like it. Many say it was that opinion that put Him up on that cross. It was, but much more than that. However, looking down on those people that were crucifying Him He forfeited His rights and said Father forgive them.....

Luke 23:34 And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Why did Almighty God forfeit His rights? Simple........LOVE! He loves us even in our most ugly moments. Boy I have had some ugly moments. That is a topic for another time. Maybe.

So there is this tidal wave of thought out there. It goes something like this, "You don't agree with what I am doing or what I believe or what I think so I think you are being mean to me. You are being intolerant and insensitive! You are being politically incorrect! You are not doing it my way, so I am going to be angry at you." This was not the Jesus kind of righteous anger. This is a selfish anger. It is control and manipulation.

We are just people aren't we?! As people we are going to mess up. I am so grateful for His grace.

I won't be giving up my opinions in an effort to make anyone like me. I don't bow down to approval. However, just know that if you don't agree with me it is alright. I won't get offended. I hope you don't either.

God bless and good afternoon to you!