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WHEN A CHRISTIAN IS OFFENDED

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; But let him glorify God on this behalf. (1 Peter 4:16)

Let me begin without being ashamed as the verse above indicates. While sitting at the table at a Thanksgiving meal with some in-laws, I found myself in the midst of conversations that any Bible-loving Christian would find offensive. One would talk about how they went to see Harry Potter, which was odd, but not uncommon, for an adult. Another would talk about a certain movie that portrayed a once famous comedian who is now deceased (and probably in Hell unfortunately) who is said to be an aerobic instructor in Heaven, according to the movie. Then one had the nerve to talk about those “wacky fundamentalists” who protest against such stuff, of course knowing that I am labeled with that group.

I started to think to myself wondering what would happen if I were a Muslim sitting at the table. Despite the fact there was a group of idiots who crashed planes in the twin towers in the name of Islam (and yes I know there were crazy things done in the past with a “Christian” label as well) there would be an attempt not to offend me if I were a Muslim. It seems that if you are a Christian though, everybody has a right to offend what you believe in and you are the one that is “judgmental” and a “weirdo” if you defend those beliefs.

I remember a few years ago when a very popular brand name of tennis shoes had to recall a certain edition of their shoes because the symbol it displayed was offensive to Islam. Oh, but Christians are suppose to learn how to “accept” and “love” anything that is contrary to the Bible. I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again, these “broad-minded” liberals running around today are enemies to the cause of righteousness hiding behind the banners of “love” and “unity.”

I also wonder what would happen if someone tried to revise the writings of Shakespeare into a more “modern” and “easy to understand” language. I imagine that there would be an outcry from the disciples of cultural arts calling it some form of heresy. Oh, but once again, people find nothing wrong with tampering with God’s Word and making a perversion out of it.

I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised by all of this considering the fact that my Lord was the one who was crucified and despised by the world, while Buddha and other religious-oriented figures were sitting under the “shade tree” being adored by the world. This same Lord also said that His servants are no greater than He is and will be despised as well and the ones who persecute them will think they are doing God a favor (John 16:2-3).

Remember Christians are the ones who endure Santa Claus at the celebration of their Savior’s birth. Christians are the ones who have to tolerate the Easter Bunny at the remembrance of their Lord’s resurrection. Now I want the liberal “lovy-dubbies” to be consistent and come up with a cute fictional character for Ramadan. How about “Santa Hog” or the “Pork Beaver?” Oh, come on! Don’t be such a scrooge about it!

- James S. Hodges

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