The Offense of Unbelief

When John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples to Him and asked, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Jesus replied, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matthew 11:2-6)

Blessed is he who is not offended! For then, they are free to receive blessings from the Lord’s hand.

When Jesus came to His own country, He taught in their synagogue, and they were astonished. They asked, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” They were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house. Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” (Matthew 13:53-58)

Here’s a thought to ponder: Could unbelief be the root cause of many “offenses”? I see so many Christians who get easily offended with one another! A single misspoken word, a neglected “hello,” or a misunderstood statement can cause offense. From my own observation and personal experience, I have noticed that Christians who are easily offended and those who hold onto offenses rarely experience a victorious Christian life. They are the ones who habitually question and wonder why they don’t see more of the power and blessing of God manifested in their lives.

Is it a Christian’s lack of walking out the truth of the scriptures that foments “offenses”? For example, if we walked in the truth of, “let love cover a multitude of sins,” would we be so easily offended?

If we embraced the truth of forgiving others their transgressions against us and released them from our “offended” sensibilities (which is the essence of forgiveness), would we then witness a more profound manifestation of God’s power in our lives?

Blessed is he who is not offended! For then they are free to receive blessings from the Lord’s hand!

“Where did this Man acquire such wisdom and extraordinary works? Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man obtain all these things?” So they were offended at Him… Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”(Matt.13:53-58)

The Poison of the Ordinary

In his book “God drew near,” author Max Lucado introduces a term that I find particularly insightful: “The poison of the ordinary.” What is this “poison of the ordinary”? It is unbelief’s most cunning and subtle agent of destruction! It is the saying that says, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” How insidious is this “Poison of the ordinary”? It is an elixir of the devil!

The offense of unbelief!

The “Poison of the ordinary” dulls our senses. For instance, recall when you first heard that song that brought tears to your eyes? But now, after hearing it a thousand times, it hardly even stirs you anymore! Why? Because it has become familiar and ordinary! The “Poison of the ordinary” will rob us from seeing God's POWER in our lives!

Jesus performed few miracles in His hometown. Why? Because they were poisoned by the ordinary! They said,

We know Him. We see Him every day working in that Carpenter shop! We know His mother and His sister; they’re just ordinary people! He’s just an ordinary Carpenter! Who does He think He is? Their opinions of who they thought Jesus robbed them of seeing a greater manifestation of God’s power in their lives. And my friends, the same can be said of us in regard to each other! Our opinions of each other don’t negate who we are in the Lord, but they will diminish how much we receive from the Lord through each other! How often do we refuse to receive from those we know because we know them? They’re “ordinary” to us; we see their lives and their “faults” real or perceived.

It’s just my wife.

It’s just my husband.

It’s just “that guy at work.”

It’s just Mary, or John.

Who spoke at church today?

“Oh, it was just Steve.”

When I was pastoring a former church and our children were still young, my wife Marsha would tell our kids when I was preaching my sermon, “Listen to the Word of God that pastor is preaching. That’s not just your daddy up there; that’s “the man of God, speaking to you about the things of God.”

Marsha understood better than anyone that the children had to learn to look past their father’s human flaws! And this is precisely what the apostle Peter exhorts us to do! “Above all things, have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies.” (1 Peter 4:8-10)

Peter emphasizes the importance of a fervent love for one another as the foundation of the ministry of the body. He explains that love “covers a multitude of sins” because un-forgiveness and taking up offenses with one another hinder the ability to receive from one another. Even Jesus’ friends and neighbors, who were perfect, failed to receive from Him.

Peter further exhorts us to be “hospitable” without grumbling, using the Greek word “philoxenos,” which means “to love what is strange.” This means loving strangers. Let’s face it, some of us are strange! Offenses are bound to come, but we shouldn’t be easily offended. If we are offended, we should resolve the issue with our brother or sister in a biblical manner, walking in forgiveness and love.

Don't be so easily offended and perhaps you just might see a greater manifestation of both the miraculous power and blessing of God in your life! For, “Blessed is he who is not offended,” for then they will be free to receive blessing from the Lord!

His Grace is Still Amazing to Me!

Andy White