Why Is His Message So Offensive?

For years, I considered myself a closet Christian. I understood the message, believed in the power and salvation of Christ and truly believed that one day I would be with Him in Glory but I was not willing to declare that openly to anyone. You can ask anyone of the people I went to high school with if I was a Christian or even mention to them that I was now a preacher of the Word of God and you would be greeted with an expression of confusion. There were a few people I knew back then that were “bible thumpers” and I saw how they were treated and it scared me so I kept silent.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Matt 5:10

It is easier to follow the crowd and mock that which is not fully understood. People are confused by the idea of having to be righteous, perfect on their own accord, clean in the eyes of the church before they can enter the hallowed ground of the temple yet that is the exact opposite of what God’s message is stating. Consider the following verses from Romans 3:

²¹ But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. ²² This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Why does the world persecute the Christian community? Could be that our past is a poor reflection of the true Message and the perception of the world is what we have made our religion into but the time has come to let the nation know that our faith should be the true reflection of the church. This message is and will continue to be mocked and the messengers will be persecuted until the final day but for each one who hears and has a change of heart for Christ, the prize is eternity in Heaven. Come, all who seek His Grace for it will be freely given.

This Sunday we finish up the series in the Beatitudes. Service starts at 10:30 MST and can be seen live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or viewed afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd