Jeremiah chapter 27. I find that offensive.
God speaks through his prophet Jeremiah to many kings of many nations. He tells them that they will serve the king of Babylon their enemy because of their sin. And he also says that what the other prophets and the diviners, mediums, and sorcerers say to them are all lies and they should not listen to them. Can you imagine how radical of a statement that would have been for Jeremiah to make. Nations were so trained and accustomed to accept such practices from there prophets and sorcerers, etc. that for Jeremiah to come and make a contradictory statement like he did would have sounded very CRAZY and OFFENSIVE.
It's not much different today. Our nation is so trained and accustomed to think there is no God or that Jesus was just a good person, or everybody goes to heaven. So when we share a message about the importance of Jesus and a relationship with him and that we are all sinners, then such a statement sounds so RIDICULOUS and OFFENSIVE. People don't want their lifestyles to be challenged. Or better yet, how offensive would it sound if we said, don't listen to what your parents, grandparents, teachers, or peers say to you when they say there is no God, we don't need Jesus, or that everyone goes to heaven.
What seems to hold value is when we let love be the key ingredient with our actions and words. People respond to words much better when love surrounds them.
CHALLENGE: Let us be a light today in a dark world. Encourage someone. Compliment someone. Surround your words and actions with love. Then when the opportunity comes to talk about Jesus, in love, then your words won't sound so offensive but instead will plant a seed for salvation.
Have a great day everyone!