…an outside observer with no actual issue taking issue with something or someone on another’s behalf. There was a time when the best offence was a good defence, but things have changed. Instead of playing defence people have taken to making others go on the defence because they find what they are saying offensive. Yes, there are universally offensive actions, at least there used to be, but what was once black and white has become grey while what was once no big deal has become the thing most offensive to a select group of self-appointed defenders of those they perceive in need of defence.

How do we respond?

My knee jerk response is to fight back. I want to prove the idiocy of the offence movement. I want to attack those who would attack my right to say what I want to say. I want to see the law protect my right to say what I want to say and do what I want to do. It sounds good but here’s the problem. I have become offended by those who are offended. I have become defensive by going on offence to win the game of who sets the boundaries on how I live and what I say. My focus is diverted to the rights I may or may not have rather than the message I am called to share.

It’s a trap, a very effective trap.

Maybe a better assessment of the situation is to call it a magic trick, a slight of hand. Pay no attention to the real issues but instead focus on what you are being told to focus on. As the church faces a less and less Christian culture, we find ourselves more and more at odds with those who are, for lack of a better term, professional offence takers. Some in the church join the offence group because they see anything that is controversial or possibly divisive as being not of God. To this I respond with the words of Jesus, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15:18-19 (NIV) Others fight the group out of arrogance and a firm belief that they have the right to act as the offence group does and force their beliefs on others. To this I respond with the words of Jesus, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15:18-19 (NIV)

This is the problem as I see it.

While we either become part of the offence group or become our own offence group we stray from the true message of the gospel. If what we are saying does end up creating a group that is defensive of their sin leading them to being offended, then we are not living out the whole truth. If the way we present the truth is more offensive than the message, then we are not living out the whole truth. If the way we respond to the world is the same way the world responds to us, we are offended that they are offended, and we end up fighting fire with fire, then we are not living out the whole truth.

We are where we are because we did not offend enough.

We love the peace of aligning with the world. It starts often because the world we live in aligns with us. North American Christians have enjoyed a façade of a Christian country and cozied up to leaders who promote our ideals. No need to offend anyone because what we believe is what the country stands for.

Let’s be honest with ourselves. What the country stands for is not humble admission that we are nothing, not powerful, not rich, not right and not wise but rather it is the idea that we are part of something great. No need to stir the pot, no need to rock the boat, no need to offend anyone, we’ll put up with those who don’t agree with us but there are not many of those are there?

The truth is, what was behind closed doors is now in the streets. What our laws pushed out of view is now in our face. We failed to speak out, maybe out of ignorance or maybe willful ignorance, but now these things have become mainstream, and any opposition is deemed offensive. What is our response?  For some it is to be offended just like those who support the sinfulness we hate. For others the pressure to be accepting is too great and they too become offended by anyone who calls out sin. What is the Christian response supposed to be?

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)