Unoffendable Grace
Last Sunday, I had the privilege of attending a sermon at The Church at Severn Run, where Sr. Pastor Drew Shofner drew inspiration from Brant Hansen’s thought-provoking book Unoffendable. The theme of the sermon resonated deeply with me, as Pastor Drew challenged us to rethink our attitudes toward anger, offense, and forgiveness through a Biblical lens. His message emphasized the transformative power of letting go of offense and living in the freedom of God’s grace.
The essence of Pastor Drew’s message was clear: the grace of the Cross is the foundation of our lives. He reminded us that Jesus, through His unoffendable nature, demonstrated a world-stopping grace that showed us undeserved mercy. As believers, we are called to reflect this grace in our own lives. The connection between who Jesus is and who we are meant to be cannot be overlooked. We cannot let excuses stand between us and the call to embody the love and mercy Jesus showed.
In Luke 23:34, Jesus, even while being crucified, expressed forgiveness for those who wronged Him saying: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” This profound statement serves as a reminder that our judgment of others is often a veiled boast about our own superiority. When we encounter anger or offense, it is crucial to remember that we, too, are flawed and in need of grace.
Pastor Drew emphasized that showing mercy is a logical extension of having received mercy ourselves. Ephesians 2:8-9 echoes this sentiment: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Our salvation is not a result of our own works but a divine gift, reminding us that our worth is not based on our performance or feelings but on God’s unending grace.
Many of us struggle with feeling distant from God, often due to a lack of trust in His grace. We may revert to judging ourselves or others based on performance, leading us to a place of arrogance or fear. Pastor Drew’s message encouraged us to reframe our understanding of our relationship with God. If we approach Him through the lens of His grace, we can build a deeper, more intimate connection.
The challenge for many believers is to avoid reverting to a mindset of self-righteousness and judgmentalism. After experiencing God’s grace, we often fall back into old habits of division and offense, judging others over trivial matters. As Pastor Drew noted, Christians can sometimes be the most easily offended people, often quarreling over insignificant issues.
In John 3:17, we read, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” This reminder of our mission as followers of Christ serves as a powerful call to focus on grace rather than condemnation. Instead of pointing out the faults of others, we are to aim to lead them to the one who can offer healing and forgiveness—Jesus Christ.
The grace we have received is to redefine how we interact with others. Pastor Drew posed an interesting perspective: If God has deemed us worthy through His grace, how can we judge others based on our opinions or preferences? Instead of seeing others as inferior or “less than,” we must remember that we are all created in God’s image and deserving of love and grace.
In James 2:12-13, we are reminded, “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.” The weight of this scripture is significant; our actions and words toward others reflect our understanding of grace. If we are unmerciful, we risk the same judgment we cast upon others. We must recognize that extending grace to others is part of our witness as Christians.
1 Corinthians 2:14 reminds us that “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness.” This verse highlights the importance of understanding that our perspective is transformed when we embrace the Spirit and recognize the grace extended to us. It is not by our understanding or wisdom but through the grace of God that we can live unoffendable lives.
As I reflect on Pastor Drew’s message, I am reminded of the freedom that comes from releasing our right to be offended. Living a life marked by grace allows us to experience peace and joy, even in challenging circumstances. When we let go of anger and resentment, we open ourselves up to deeper connections with God and others.
This week, and every week, we are encouraged to examine our hearts:
~ Are there areas where we feel offended or weighed down by anger?
~ How can we extend grace to those around us?
Embracing humility and surrendering our “right” to be offended is a powerful step toward living a life that reflects Christ’s love. When we choose grace over offense, we can experience the true joy of being unoffendable, empowered to impact the world for the Kingdom of God.
JG