William Thompson Fisher
October 30, 1999
The outline and short definitions I hope to answer in this series are as follows.
Please indulge me in identifying a Biblical offense. Jeremiah 2:1-11. Chapter 1 reveals the author (is) Jeremiah, the prophet. (See: Jeremiah 1:1-5) Not only does our LORD use the Holy Ghost to identify the author, Almighty God's doctrine (Christ's doctrine) of specific election (salvation) is shown in the Old Testament. Though sovereign election is a Biblical doctrine (absolutely humbling to those that grasp it) and is worthy of diligent study, it is not the message I have been given at this time. The Holy Spirit of God reveals the place "Anathoth in the land of Benjamin" and the initial time frame, "in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign." which was approximately 627 B.C. Jeremiah Chapter 2:1-11 We see that God's wrath had been kindled against the children of Israel and the house of Jacob for violating His Word. Our LORD calls forgetting or disobeying His Word an offense.
Another example of an offense against Christ is Jeremiah 50:4-10 when the judgment and punishment upon the people of God would be at an end. We see those against God proclaiming "We offend not" which in our day is equivalent to "we followed the law" or "we were just following orders". I asked the question last week of someone, "Should those who manned the furnace valves be held accountable for murdering the Jews in the concentration camps controlled by Nazi Germany?" Obviously and according to God, though they were doing what they "thought/felt" was right, they were committing sin an offense against the Most High. Moreover, this offense was worthy of death and as we see from Scripture, our LORD delivering the chastened Israelites from Babylonian bondage. As we see from Scripture, offend means to violate the Word of God.
In the book of Hosea, we see that the rejection of God's Word, once again, kindled His wrath and brought forth judgment upon Israel. Hosea 4:1-11, 4:15 Hosea 5:1-7, 5:13-15 Once again, we see the people of God willfully violating His Word to the point where His judgment poured forth like molten metal out of the furnace.
Christ addresses the perceived offense of the scribes and Pharisees. A similar type of circumstance "offense" but a different word "transgress" is used. Matthew 15:1-20 Whereas the accusers would claim that the disciples (and therefore Christ) had violated their tradition or a statutory ordinance rather than obey God. Christ our Sovereign LORD appropriately rebukes their folly and makes the application: one to sin, it is the sin within an individual sinner that causes one to sin and disobey the Word of God.
Clearly a Biblical offense is in violation of God's Holy Word. What more needs to be said on the matter of Biblical offense?
The term "offend" is translated from four hebrew words in the Old Testament.
Clearly, the context of each term must be factored in before we can have an adequate understanding of each given usage.
Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines "OFFEND" as
1. To transgress the moral or divine law; to sin; to commit a crime.
2. To cause dislike or anger.
3. To be scandalized; to be stumbled.
Our modern day definition has changed from the 1828 definition.
The New World Dictionary, 2nd College Edition (c) 1976 defines "OFFEND" as
1. to break a law, religious commandment, tc.; commit a sin or crime
2. to create resentment, anger or displeasure; give offense.
vt.(transitive verb) 1. to hurt the feelings of; ...
Once man departs from God's Word, we see how man's feelings, lusts and desires can alter his perceptions thereby causing him to be centered around himself rather than Christ.
As we Sequa into the other category of offense, it is important to note the contextual transition between Biblical offense and personal offense.
Matthew 18:1-5. We see that when saints first repent and name the name of Christ as LORD and Saviour, at that time they are considered babes; and rightfully so. Matthew 18:6-7 These offenses can be a temptation or an enticement to commit sin by ones own life style or deeds or by the same of others. Christ our LORD brings the example down to our level. Matthew 18:8-10 If we are involved in something not sanctified by the Word of God, then we are duty bound to abstain from it. Albeit, we must have an adequate knowledge of God's Word in order to live according to Jesus: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4
As a personal testimony, I am glad I was not given up when after I was saved that I continued playing "TFT: Dungeons and Dragons". Since I had been playing for several years, coming to the knowledge that it was against God and that I should stop was by no means immediate. Eventually after much research into God's Word, I finally yielded to the LORD on this issue. To God be the glory I no longer partake of that activity.
Mark 9:42-47 Proper context of chapter 9 shows us this a warning about Hell. More personally for us as an application is to remove sinful activities from our lives that may yet be plaguing us. While there are some "lazy literalists," (as Pastor Brown frequently refers to them), that might suggest that one physically sever your hand from your body, however we realize that God uses figures of speech in His Word and uses guidence by Holy Ghost to reveal truth.
Paul records how the Holy Spirit is working in his life. 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 While in the presence of other saints that might not have come to the understanding of the totality of Scripture, he abstains from "rubbing their nose" (the weaker brethren) in it. The application can be made that if one of our brethren is offended not according to the Word of God, but by their own feelings, we should witness and teach. In the interim, we should abstain from the particular activity in front of them until they are been properly taught. It is at this point we oft times have a dilemma.
Do we allow a circumstance to come about or continue if someone's feelings will be hurt? Or, at the risk of offending someone, do we bring forth truth?
Jesus, very God, very God, shows us that His heavenly truth was about to unfold and upon receiving the news, His disciples were to say the least heavy hearted. John 6:47-59 should provide a contextual background. How did the disciples react? John 6:60-67 At the risk of offending the brethren, Christ Jesus brought forth His Word and prophecy (which we know has been fulfilled). We must continue to bring forth and apply the Word of God.
As we summarize using the book of James, it behooves us to remember Christ's Words. John 7:24, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." James 2:1-13 Verse 1 and verse 9 give the appearance of being contradictory. However, once factoring in the context we realize they are merely "concurrent realities" a term that has been brought forth in a sermon by John Weaver. Our passage deals with putting worldly lusts, desires and appearances over that which is righteous and holy. If we were to put anything before Christ, we would be guilty of idolatry. Many times though, "the head in the sand" approach is used so as we would not have to deal with the uncomfortable duty of bringing God's Word to someone committing sin.
The situation that happened to me in relation to Ian DeCoursey. After several months of openly violating God's Word and rebelling against pastoral authority, he came over to our house of which I have been given stewardship over by the LORD, more commonly known as my home. When he came in I informed him that I was praying that God would kill him for his disobedience and outright violation of the Word of God. I had been aware of a "depressed" state that he had been in for several months and I could have chosen not take that particular action. That particular prayer action is authorized by Scripture, 1 Corinthians 16:22. Should I have held my tongue and allowed him to continue in that sin unrebutted, I would have been guilty of his blood come the day I am judged before Christ our LORD. It may sound harsh to some, even cold-hearted to others, however it is a burning desire for our LORD's will to be done. Rest assured that Christ is firmly in control.
Obviously, we must obey God's Word first and foremost. James 3:1-2, James 3:8-10, James 3:13-18. Once we have been given faith, we must study diligently to rightly divide the word of truth. 2 Peter 3:17-18 (KJV), "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."
The application I am making today is for each and every one of us to discern between a Biblical offense and a personal offense. When a Biblical offense is committed, boldly apply God's Word. When a personal offense is committed, evaluate it based upon Scripture and then go to thy brother one on one and address it.
May Christ be glorified through our every thought and action!!!