I have been told, on more than one occasion, by both believers and non-believers, that I need to stop talking about God so much on Facebook.  I need to stop “forcing” my beliefs upon others.

Hee hee…

That excites me.

When someone hears us talk about God or Scripture, they will either respond indifferently or emotionally…but it is not us who they are truly hearing.

For those who truly respond with indifference I am afraid for…because those are the people who have hardened hearts.

hard·ened [här’dənd]   adj – used of persons; emotionally hardened;

1.  cold, insensitive, unfeeling, and unyielding

But for those who respond emotionally, it is either with acceptance (the Holy Spirit speaking to them), or anger (the Holy Spirit working on them):

“and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,”   1 Corinthians 2:4

Scripture can be offensive.  No question.  But why is it offensive and how do you respond?

A person who doesn’t truly know Christ can be offended by things of God and Scripture because they are not privy to understanding yet:

“he said, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’”  Luke 8:10

Until they are granted understanding, a non-believer will struggle with things of God…

“And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it.”  Isaiah 8:14-15a

And when confronted with the Truth, they will either become angry…

“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’ So they picked up stones to throw at him…”   John 8:58-59a

OR accept it…

“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’”   Acts 2:37

“‘This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.’ And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas…”   Acts 17:3b-4a

People who do know Christ may respond similarly, by feeling either encouraged …

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”  Romans 15:4

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”   John 14:16-21

OR convicted…

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”   2 Timothy 3:16

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12

If my “Bible thumping” offends you…

If the Scripture I posted on my Facebook wall infuriates you…

…perhaps it’s time for you to realize that some One is trying to get your attention.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”   Revelation 3:20