to offend or not to

[allaboutGod]

Today was an interesting day at work. This morning when I came in someone had left a New Testament on the counter in my dept. My boss came over and told me that I couldn't have my bible out on the counter like that.I had said that it wasn't mine. So he told me to move it behind the counter somewhere so that it couldn't offend anyone. I said personally I would have just let it and left it out and let it. (I did move it) I mean maybe it sounds mean of me to say just let it, but the way I see it the only way that it would offend anyone is if they know that it is truth or at least give it that mental assent and don't want anything to do with it. I mean really it doesn't matter what book it is (some novel, the bible, the Koran) it is it is just a book unless you make it out to be something more. Also if I see someone reading a religious book from any religion I am not going to be offended. I mean at least they care enough about themself to try and better themself. After all that is what all religions do is supposedly teach you how to be a better person. (this is not to say that all are right, only in Christianity can one actually be saved, but this is what they all have in common) And if it did offend someone so that they commented on it then I could use that as a door into some conversations with that person about how they could be saved. After all Christianity isn't a religion anyway it is a relationship with God. I mean you can always ask, when they comment that it offends them, so why does this offend you? Use it as a door to get them to open up some. This is after all an opportunity to lead them to Christ if they are open enough. Let God guide in this, of course. If it offends themand they don't say anything, then maybe the situation will at least get them thinking. You can help in this too.

Am I wrong in this? What do you all think?

Thanks,
   Monte

[Soldier4Christ]

I mean at least they care enough about themself to try and better themself. After all that is what all religeons do is supposedly teach you how to be a better person. (this is not to say that all are right, only in christianity can one actually be saved, but this is what they all have in common)

I have to strongly disagree with this. The purpose of other religions is to lead people down a path of destruction. It is not for the purpose of bettering themselves. There is nothing and I do mean NOTHING that they have in common with Christianity but rather they are the complete antithesis of Christianity.

I do agree though that if Jesus Christ, very God, Lord and Saviour or His word, the Bible offends them then let it offend them. The reason it offends them is because it convicts them of their sins and they do not want to acknowledge that they are indeed a sinner. They want to consider themselves perfect just as they are.

[allaboutGod]

I would agree with you that that is what the other religeons actually do because they are based on what you do rather than on what God has done for us. works can and will never get you to heaven. though if you look at the positives about why people go to religeon in general they go to it with the intent of trying to become a better person and thus get into heaven or paradise or whatever wonderful end that they believe there is.

[Soldier4Christ]

I still disagree. Many take up religion for many different personal reasons. We have those that think it is because it will make them rich, powerful, to get attention, to go along with others, or an attempt to rule over others. It is not always a desire to be a better person in fact quite often it is just the opposite. Right and wrong is inherent in us all. As the Bible tells us even the pagans know what is morally right yet for various other reasons of their own they choose to do what is not right.

We can use islam as one of the greatest examples of this. Why do people turn to islam? It is definitely not to become a better person. If it were they would not perform the many atrocities that they do when they know that it is wrong. Some tell it was because it was their parents religion and they know no other way, some it was because Christians could not give them answers and would just say "that is the way it is", many it is out of fear of persecution and not an actual belief, some because they want those virgins they think are waiting for them in heaven. The reasons go on and on but it is not because they want to be a better person.

In many religions they think that they are already perfect just as they are but that anyone outside of their religion is imperfect. In Christianity we realize that we all are not perfect and can never be without Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. With Christians it is because we Love Jesus Christ that we want to please Him and as such we attempt then to be good. Why do we love Him? Because He first loved us. He loved us enough that He suffered tremendously, giving of Himself completely as the perfect sacrifice so that we may have eternal life.

 

[nChrist]

Hello AllAboutGod,

I could really care less about offending people, and neither did GOD.

The first step toward Salvation is a person realizing they are a sinner and what the consequences are. YES, GOD'S WORD offends everyone because it tells everyone they are sinners, have righteousness as filthy rags, and are headed for the fires of Eternal Hell. At first, how could someone fail to be offended? This is the start of being rescued from the curse of sin and death. Many people probably reject GOD because they can't stand the thought of an all-powerful CREATOR who has every right to tell them what to do. They "want to do their own thing" without anyone telling them they are wrong, and they certainly don't want anyone to tell them there are Eternal consequences for living in sin and rejecting JESUS CHRIST.

I don't know how to effectively witness to a lost person without telling them the reasons why they need to be Saved. There was no attempt to be politically correct in the Holy Bible - SIN IS SIN! - WRONG IS WRONG - And GOD could care less about men wanting to argue with HIM, ESPECIALLY AFTER GOD THE SON - JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF WENT TO DIE ON THE CROSS FOR SINFUL MEN. HE LOVED US ENOUGH TO DO THIS EVEN WHILE WE WERE WALLOWING IN SIN, DISOBEYING HIM, AND MOCKING HIM!

The Ten Commandments are a Schoolmaster that informs mankind they are lost and undone. However, men already know they are doing wrong, but they just don't want a SUPREME and All-Powerful GOD telling them that ONLY HE is in charge - HE defines right and wrong - and HE determines the punishment for violations of HIS Law. After the CROSS, the ONLY unforgiveable SIN is rejection of JESUS CHRIST during this short life. Many men also don't like to be told that this life is NOT all there is, and consequences from this short life are paid for Eternity without end. Rejection of JESUS CHRIST does not result in a one-time penalty that is paid in a short period of time. AGAIN, men don't like to be TOLD that only GOD is in charge, and what HE says is forever. When GOD tells us about the Eternal Fires of Hell and Eternal Punishment in those fires, that's exactly what HE means. When GOD tells us that accepting JESUS CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOUR is the only way to Salvation, that's it and all. GOD leaves no room for argument, negotiation, or pardon unless someone becomes a possession of JESUS CHRIST.

A vain man or woman living in the darkness of sin and despair MUST be offended before they think about learning how to be Saved. GOD'S WORD CUTS LIKE A TWO-EDGED SWORD, AND IT WAS INTENDED TO! IT'S BLUNT AND TO THE POINT ABOUT THE CONDITION OF MAN, AND IT HAS TO BE! Helping a lost person onto a path toward JESUS CHRIST is the greatest act of love a Christian can do. Offending someone with GOD'S WORD is OF NO CONCERN! THE CONCERN IS THAT A LOST PERSON WILL STAY LOST AND SPEND ETERNITY IN THE FIRES OF HELL! There is NOTHING worse than going to hell, so there is nothing more kind and loving than a Christian sharing the GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD! Each of us can look back in reflection and ask ourselves one question:  would we rather be offended by someone telling us the TRUTH or go to HELL? We wouldn't have to think about that question for long. JESUS CHRIST WAS AND IS VERY GOD! HE WAS OFFENDED WORSE THAN ANY IN HISTORY BY BEARING THE PUNISHMENT FOR MANKIND'S SIN IN HIS OWN BODY! Lost men and women need to be offended and KNOW THE TRUTH about the consequences of their actions. If you want to be kind, loving, and correct - just use the WORD straight from the pages of the HOLY BIBLE. Christians - quit worrying about offending the lost and being politically correct. Think about that person burning in Eternal fire and try to bring them to JESUS CHRIST!

Love In Christ,
Tom

2 Corinthians 4:1-18 NASB  Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,  2  but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.  3  And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,  4  in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  5  For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake.  6  For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;  8  we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;  9  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  10  always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.  11  For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  12  So death works in us, but life in you.  13  But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak,  14  knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.  15  For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.  16  Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.  17  For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,  18  while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

[allaboutGod]

Ok PR, I see your point about the other religions. I guess I just try to assume the best of people until proven wrong. None the less it still wouldn't offend me to see someone reading a religious book from another religion. I would just use it as a door into some conversations. On this subject, though, I am glad that I can get someone else to agree with me on weather or not it is alright. I realize that because it it the workplace there are some things that you can't do, but if it was my choice I would just leave the bible out anyway. I mean where else are you going to get that kind of exposure. Everyone comes into a retail store at one point or another.

This is the following question then, how far should you go with this type of subject in the workplace? When is too far? I mean I can't afford to get fired or anything, but at the same time what can I do to provoke people to thought and maybe get some of them saved. Or do you think, like one friend of mine, that this needs to be done entirely outside of the workplace? Also how should you broach these kind of topics with your superiors at work? I would like to get them saved but don't think they are all that interested in the subject. They know I am and that is why Tadd thought that the New Testament was mine in the first place. My friend said that you can't do this at work because you dant have time for a long drawn out conversation, which is true, but I think that you can and should at least drop seeds all the time.

In Christ,
   Monte

[Soldier4Christ]

I am not offended with someone reading, say the koran or something similar to it either. Now if I were in church and someone broke out one of them then I would have a bit of a problem with it. Other than that, yes, I would consider it an opportune moment.

When in a workplace you are working for that person. It is their establishment, they make the rules. That is what a free nation is all about. If it is not an environment for a Christian then I would suggest moving on to a more friendlier place. From what I have gathered from your comments though it does not appear to be a hostile environment towards you as they don't seem to have a problem with your being Christian? They just don't want it pushed on their customers. Witnessing in the manner of the things that we say and do quite often is a powerful testimony in itself. As the Bible says, let the light shine forth.

I would really like to say more but I have to run to an appointment right now.

[allaboutGod]

No the environment isn't hostile towards me. I just want to be able to affect those around me and this is a very public place where I am at all the time. I also believe that God put me in this place for one reason or another. So as to who I am wanting to affect it is both those I work with as well as the people that come in. After all there are a lot of people in this area and many of them do need Christ. I say many because I know that there are a lot of Christians in this city.

[David_N]

I suppose, in an age of political correctness, many people are more concerned about offending people than they should be.

[Soldier4Christ]

Political correctness was designed by those that wish to silence anyone that does not believe as they do. It has especially become a tool against Christians.

To continue on the original subject. It is important to remember that the business belongs to that person that is making the rules. As long as those rules do not contradict the values in the Bible we must abide by them. An example of this would be a company not long ago required their employees to perform functions that were of a practice of Buddhism. This would be a reason to object quite strongly. Or if they had permitted a koran or some other such thing but banned the Bible then it would be a reason to also object.

Personally I could not work for someone that I did not feel free to present the word of God under any circumstances. I would have to look for employment elsewhere.