The Offense of Jesus Christ
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“If the spiritual awakening you are talking about happens would that mean everyone would have to believe in Jesus and would everyone have to follow the same beliefs?”
The questions were more rhetorical than they were authentic inquiry.
My affirmative answer was quickly followed by his statement, “That is communism.”
My surprise at his statement was heightened by the knowledge this person claimed to be a Christian. How could they have such a stunning offense of Jesus Christ?
That is rapidly becoming the line of demarcation inside the Christianity community.
Evangelical and Pentecostal movements are no exception. They too are experiencing the pressure of a culture marinated in tolerance and relativism.
Great offense is taken at the very idea of the exclusivity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible.
This is not new.
The crowds were offended at the new prophet out of Galilee claiming to be the Son of God. Although they were amazed at the miraculous healings and appreciated the food He provided, his teaching greatly trouble them.
He made himself equal with God. “I am the bread come down from Heaven,” He said.
They could not see past His humanity.
“Isn’t this the son of Joseph and Mary,” they asked? “Where does he come off saying God is His Father?”
They had watched him grow up. There was no way He had come down from Heaven. He was born and raised right there in Nazareth among them. They knew all of His relatives.
The Offense of Jesus Christ
Just as the people of Galilee, many today struggle with Jesus divinity.
How can God be in the flesh? It is the mystery of the ages, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26-27). “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the godhead bodily. And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:9-10).
The people wanted His miracles and they wanted the food He provided, but they could not accept His true identity.
Does that sound familiar?
The complaints about the presidential inauguration from inside “the beltway” and from the national media declared it was too Christian.
There was too much prayer in the Name of Jesus Christ.
The POTUS should have been more inclusive.
They were angered by the early morning church service in which President Trump requested Dr. Robert Jefrees be the speaker.
The church service was distinctly Christian and featured a speaker who is known to be pro-life and who teaches Mormons are not Christian.
The exclusivity of the Living God has not changed.
The first commandment is still, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”
We have forgotten it is God, Himself, who makes this distinction. Buddha, Mohammed, or Joseph Smith’s visitation by an angel does not change the truth.
Indeed, God’s Word declares, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9 NKJV).
The message of the Apostle Peter to the High Priest and the religious leaders of his day is still absolute. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NKJV).
Jesus Christ is God come down from Heaven.
He is the Son of God, one hundred percent man and one hundred percent God. “For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the Heavens” (Psalms 96:5 KJV).
Yes, if we are going to see the great spiritual awakening that will change the soul of the USA and impact the world, it will be a turning to the one true God Almighty who sent His son, Jesus Christ, the only redeemer who can save mankind from sin.
THE DOOR TO ETERNAL LIFE?
Truly I tell you,how much more offended will you be if you knock on his door to enter.Only to hear his voice from the other side asking you “Who are you?”You say who you are but then you hear the most terrifying reply,”Go away,I do not know you?”You beg for your soul to enter and say “My Lord Jesus this is (Your Name),you know me?”.He replies back,”How do I know you,when you do not know me?”For many of us will knock and will be refused entry.It is because you did not take the time when you were alive to get to know the only one who could have saved you?Jesus is the ONLY way to eternal life,there is NO OTHER WAY past him,because you will not get past him if you do not know him?.But so many of us fail to even bother,until it is too late?Those who are “Offended” by Jesus and by messages becoming too Christian?,How MUCH MORE offended will they be if they are left outside the door to eternal life and left outside in ETERNAL darkness instead?where there will be a great gritting and gnashing of teeth?If you truly knew how terrifying eternity is you would change your life to live in Jesus overnight!