calendar_today December 16, 2024

Acts: Life On Mission – Week 16 – Unoffendable

person Mike Wilson

view_list Acts: Life On Mission ,

Unoffendable

As we near the conclusion of our journey through the book of Acts, one key theme resonates powerfully: the call to live an unoffendable life. In a world where outrage seems to dominate every corner, Christians are challenged to approach life differently—reflecting the grace, peace, and unity that Jesus exemplifies.

Why Are We So Easily Offended?

It’s hard to ignore how prevalent offense is in our society. People seem divided over everything—politics, lifestyle choices, and even language. Christians are often no exception, finding themselves offended by the actions or beliefs of others. Yet, Jesus calls His followers to respond with compassion, not anger.

Sin should make us sad, not angry. It should stir compassion because sin not only separates people from God but also causes deep personal harm. To embody Christlikeness, we must strive to be unoffendable, resisting the urge to judge or separate ourselves from others.

A Call to Compassion

James 1:19-20 reminds believers, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” Too often, what we justify as “righteous anger” is, in reality, a mask for self-righteousness.

Jesus modeled compassion toward sinners, consistently choosing relationship over rejection. When sinners sin, our response should not be outrage but grace. Becoming unoffendable is about lowering our expectations of others and increasing our capacity for grace.

Jesus: The Example of Unoffendable Grace

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus demonstrates a remarkable ability to remain unoffendable. When asked 183 questions, He directly answered only three. Instead of reacting in frustration, He often responded with a question, inviting reflection and understanding.

In contrast, human anger often escalates unnecessarily. We create mental storylines, assign motives, and let our emotions control us. But Jesus shows that being slow to anger fosters stronger relationships and builds unity.

Paul: The Ultimate Example of Perseverance

Paul’s life offers another powerful example of being unoffendable. In Acts 21-27, Paul embarks on his final journey to Rome, enduring trials, shipwrecks, and even snake bites. Despite relentless persecution, Paul remains focused on his mission to share the Gospel.

2 Corinthians 11:23-27 highlights Paul’s immense suffering:

He was whipped five times, beaten with rods three times, and stoned once.
He endured shipwrecks and constant danger.
His body bore the marks of relentless persecution, yet his spirit remained unbroken.

Through it all, Paul exemplified what it means to be unoffendable. His faith produced perseverance, and his love for others never wavered—even for those who sought to harm him.

Unity Through Grace

Jesus prayed for His followers to experience “perfect unity” (John 17:23). This unity is only possible when believers embrace grace and let go of offenses. As forgiven people, we are called to extend forgiveness to others.

Living unoffendable lives does not mean ignoring sin or wrongdoing. Instead, it means choosing grace over judgment and unity over division.

Faith in Action

The story of Aquila and Priscilla challenges us to evaluate how we can be Used By God. Are we willing to:

Open our homes for ministry?
Support the church financially?
Mentor someone in their faith journey?
Take a step of faith even when it’s uncomfortable?

Practical Steps to Becoming Unoffendable

Reflect on Your Reactions
What makes you angry or offended? Ask God to reveal areas where your emotions may be dividing you from others.
Cultivate Grace
Increase your capacity for grace by remembering the forgiveness you’ve received through Christ.
Stay Focused on Eternity
Don’t let temporary frustrations distract you from eternal priorities. Like Paul, rejoice in suffering, knowing it produces endurance and strengthens your faith.
Build Relationships
Instead of separating yourself from those who offend you, seek opportunities to connect and share God’s love.

The Reward of Living Unoffendable

An unoffendable life leads to peace, joy, and a deeper connection with God and others. It’s a life that reflects Christ, pointing people to His grace and truth.

By choosing to be unoffendable, Christians can be a light in a divided world, building bridges instead of walls and demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel.

As Jesus Himself prayed, may we experience such perfect unity that the world will know we are His disciples.

Did you like Acts: Life On Mission – Week 16 – Used By God? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.

Back to All Messages