Why Does Scripture Insult Some Believers?

By: Titus Faulk

Why does scripture offend some believers? I think that part of it is because some people do not comprehend the difference between religious laws established in the Old Testament and the Word of God written in the New Testament.

If we become easily insulted when someone preaches in opposition to Old Testament laws then maybe we are not ready to hear what is being said or maybe we are sensitive to what is being said in the New Testament. Regardless, those who write, witness, preach, and evangelize should be cautious about how they present the Lord’s Word so they do not come across as being self-righteous and insulting.

In other words, there is nothing to critique in these matters, and even if there were judgment, it should be left up to the Lord. The Lord is the Judge and we are God’s stewards preaching the gospel to those who have are willing to hear. In fact, scripture informs us to avoid insulting others if it encumbers the gospel in any way. That means at times, we should yield to the customs of others for the sake of the gospel.

Apostle Paul did not want to insult anyone and many times throughout his lifetime he would be ‘all things” for “all people”, so that he might rescue some of them. There were times when Paul yielded to certain Old Testament Laws because he did not want to insult his audience.

“They have been informed that you (Paul) teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their head shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.” (Acts 21: 21-25)

In the next verse, Paul did what he was told and yielded to their laws for the sake of not insulting anyone.

“The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them”. (Acts 21:26,27)

Even though Paul yielded to their so he would not insult, he was also very firm in his Christian beliefs. And like Paul, we must also remain firm in our beliefs but flexible on non-imperative customs that would not sacrifice our own values and beliefs.

As an example, the New Testament scripture tells us over and over again that the only way to salvation is through faith! In fact, following non-fundamental customs are of no worth towards salvation. The Lord fulfilled the Old Testament laws and released us from its “burden of guilt”. Observing Old Testament laws is not the way to salvation.

“So my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code”. (Romans 7:4-6)

Salvation is through Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and if we insult someone because we preach or write about this awesome biblical reality, honestly, there is nothing we can do about that. But we can show them through our example of why we believe with such fervor. We certainly cannot undermine our deep felt beliefs in the Lord because someone is insulted by it. Judgment is the key here.

“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I become like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I become like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I become like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I become weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

Article Source: http://www.articles.narrowisthepath.com

Titus Faulk
Representing The Sacred Mint Christian Gifts Store and Christian Community

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 23

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