Are You Offended By The Gospel?

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16).

(In) every age, it is possible to be "ashamed of the gospel"...instead of eager to share it. The word translated "ashamed: also means "offended." How is the gospel offensive?

1. The gospel, by telling us that our salvation is free and undeserved, is really insulting! It tells us that we are such spiritual failures that the only way to gain salvation is for it to be a complete gift. This offends moral religious people who think their decency gives them an advantage over less moral people.

2. The gospel is also really insulting by telling us that Jesus died for us. It tells us that we are so wicked that only the death of the Son of God could save us. This offends the modern cult of self-expression and the popular belief in the innate goodness of humanity.

3. The gospel, by telling us that trying to be good and spiritual isn't enough, thereby insists that no "good" person will be saved, but only those who come to God through Jesus. This offends the modern notion that any nice person anywhere can find God "in his own way." We don't like losing our autonomy.

4. The gospel tells us that our salvation was accomplished by Jesus' suffering and serving (not conquering and destroying), and that following him means to suffer and serve with him. This offends people who want salvation to be an easy life; it also offends people who want their lives to be safe and comfortable.

Tim Keller, Romans 1-7 For You