24/04/2026
‼️ THE WEEKEND WORD
Insulting
📖 "One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.” (Luke 11:45 ESV)
In our current times, tolerance has become a prime virtue. However, the definition of that term has shifted. In the past, tolerating something meant enduring something even if you did not agree with or like it. Today, the term is often used to imply agreement or affirmation. One of the most damaging social labels that can be placed on someone is the label of intolerance. This has caused emotional conflict for many followers of Jesus because the Bible makes very clear declarations about what is right and wrong. Modern culture does not appreciate it when a Christ follower echoes those declarations, especially on social media. They protest because they are insulted. As Christians, we now face a dilemma: do we speak biblical truth and be viewed as insulting, or do we remain quiet and be viewed as tolerant?
The term gospel may mean “good news,” but its message can be insulting. It is insulting to tell a self-respecting person that they are not truly good, because all humankind is tainted by sin. It is insulting to say that you are not good enough to earn your way to heaven. It is insulting to say that you need a Savior. As Christ followers, we must come to grips with the reality that our message is both good news and insulting at the same time.
The fact that the gospel can be offensive does not give us a license to be insulting to everyone. Some argue they are just speaking “truth,” and it is not their problem if someone is offended. But we cannot be dismissive of an insulted spirit that has been confronted with gospel truth, because that insult often reveals a spiritual hardness of heart. What that heart needs is both truth and grace. Truth without grace is insulting. Grace without truth is powerless to change a heart or mind. Jesus was accused of being insulting, and we will be too. But our purpose is not to see how insulting we can be; our purpose is to present truth and confront the fallacies of this age with the grace of Jesus Christ. He loved us while we were not good enough.
As we serve this week, may we have wisdom about which questions we should answer, which posts we should comment on, and which debates we should join. May our answers be full of truth and grace. May we remember that our message may be offensive, but may it never be because we ourselves were insulting. - Keith Garner
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