A Rock of Offense

“Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed." -  1 Peter 2:6-8

Who are you most concerned about offending? Your neighbor or the One who created you and your neighbor? Just as a reminder, the first greatest commandment is to love God. the second is to love others. Now let's put that in context. God has declared what is sin and what is not. What is holy and what is not. Man has also declared what is sin and what is not. 

So, stay with me on this ---- if we love God first and our love for others is birthed from that love then we are obliged to give God primary allegiance when there is a conflict between God and man's declaration of right and wrong. Where we get into trouble is when we choose man's definition of what is "right" over God's. 

"God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,  backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." - Romans 1:24-32

Today, in man's way of thinking - in his world view if you will - it is in man's domain to decide what is moral and what is not. If any decision is contrary to what God has ordained, then God is wrong and man is right. If you should choose God's definition over man's then you are declared a hater or bigot or both. The only way that the lost will ever change their thinking is by faith in Jesus. That same cornerstone who they have rejected.

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Listen to me on this – it is God’s desire that no one should perish. Just like you and me – those people need to see Jesus. But, at the same time.

There is no room for compromise. Although sometimes we would like there to be. It would take the social pressure off of us if somehow both God and man could be right. If you are a Jesus follower then you have been called by God to live by and proclaim His Truth. Your God-given purpose is to be salt and light in a dark and sinful world - 

".... you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." - 1 Peter 2:9-10

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone