Your Consience v Offending Others

 Did you know being ‘offended’ is part of the composite sign Jesus gave HIS disciples that would attend the end of ‘the age’?

Theme Scripture:   “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another” – Matthew 24:10

The difference in meaning of words as used in the translation of the Bible from its original languages, but even from earlier ‘english’ translations, is sometimes different from a ‘common’ understanding of the word used in current translations. For instance: “Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:” –KJV – 1 Corinthians 10:25 → Shambles is translated ‘meat market’ in our parlance. From the ‘New’ King James: “Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake;”

To our theme scripture, Matt 24:10 “offended” is another one of those cases. As translated more accurately in Young's Literal Translation: “and then shall many be stumbled, and they shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another.”“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” It appears some believers will see the persecution of Christians being killed and hated by all nations because they are “Christ”ians. Verse 10 starts ‘and then…’one can conclude some Christians are stumbled by seeing their brothers and sisters killed and hated and to save themselves from the same fate they apper to betray and hate one another. Of course, such a conclusion could be incorrect, but we only have to look at the world around us to know how fragile ‘friendship’ is even apart from a Christian perspective. Today, if you disagree on just about anything you are likely to find yourself ‘unfriended’ or way worse. Meanings of words have changed and at such a pace one cannot keep up. Yet, we are not yet in the time period Jesus discusses as an answer to HIS disciples. He actually states in vs 8 that the foregoing are only the beginning of sorrows. Thereafter persecution is mentioned. 

NOTE: https://christswords.com/main/content/matthew-2410%C2%A0and-then-shall-many-be-offended

^ For a breakdown of the vs 10 word by word I found this link helpful. One caveat: I do not find evidence that the author's postulate that Jesus made the disciples laugh by the choice of verbiage. It may have been a play on words that had a deeper meaning then but there is no evidence in any of the gospel accounts suggests humor was an emotion the topic triggered.t

The CREATOR and LIBERATOR, GOD ALMIGHTY, handled the matter of ‘stumbling’ within the Levitical Law given to and agreed upon by the Jewish people, after release from bondage in Egypt for nearly five centuries. We read: “Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.”--Lev 19:14

Sometimes stumbling happens unforeseen. Our mind is elsewhere, our footing misses, twists, the object is obscured from our site, or we may be unable to detect differences in a solid field of the same monochrome color scheme. We would not deliberately place anything where someone could be injured. There are other ways to stumble/offend someone.

The Apostle Paul spared no words when addressing the topic of stumbling someone. 1 Corinthians chapter 10 has much about stumbling, mostly regarding food. See his statement in vs 23 of Chapter 10: “All things are lawful; but not all things are advantageous.” This is a phrase he used a couple of  times. In essence, and in context, just because you may feel no issue with eating meat but someone else’s conscience strictly forbids them,  you are not bound by their conscience if you do not share their conviction, but rather than insisting on your right Paul suggests that the believer forego their own preference in deference to the sensibilities of the other so as not to stumble them. But! And here is the crux of the issue: ““Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?” Right? Let’s finish the thought to the end. Verses 29-33: “30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” ← Salvation being the goal of all Christian encounters with all persons we do well to not stumble another to insist on our own will. 

One last but important point: no matter the original to common translation, the intent is present. These are words spoken by THE WORD, Jesus, and so the statement in verse 10 above is truthful and impactful. When read in context, there will be a time when all Christians will be hated by all nations and killed for their faith. Today, in several countries this is already a reality. Countries where Christianity is not the religion of the many — including countries we may feel friendly towards — prosecution/persecution of Christians for  ‘proselytizing’ translates to beheadings, shootings, including children and whole families. In essence kill them by any number of means so long as they are punished for their faith in Jesus There will come a time when this will be the matter of course for all nations.

 In fact, here is a sobering thought for consideration:”And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them, and the souls of those who have been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus, and because of the word of God, and who did not bow before the beast, nor his image, and did not receive the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand, and they did live and reign with Christ the thousand years;”-- Rev 20:4 ← This happens during the Tribulation period of seven years set apart for a time in the future. It is believed by some the Church will have been ‘caught away’ [1 Thess 4:17]or raptured before this happens but those who become Christians after the rapture will see the above statement of beheading as a likely reality due to their faith.

Do some research in your Bible. Search for ‘offend’ and ‘stumble’ to broaden your own thoughts on how best to live a life of conviction in Christ.

Questions? lightwritingmatters@gmail.com 

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

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