Offend No One 

   These days it seems that the most heinous sin that can be committed is to offend someone.  No matter what they are doing, no matter how evil their actions, we are never to confront their sinfulness.  We have gone from love the sinner but hate the sin to ignore the sin because we might hurt the sinner’s feelings.

   This attitude pervades virtually every aspect of our life today.  If we stand strong in our faith and confront the sinfulness of the world we are called backward, ignorant, racist, homophobic, xenophobic, and many other vile names.  Ensuring that no one's feelings are bruised and no one is offended is rule one; nothing less will be tolerated.

   Even in our churches priests and pastors often tiptoe around sin rather than offend one of their congregation.  When concern about offending the sinner prohibits identifying sin and its consequences our shepherds are failing in their calling.  Somewhat cynically, I often wonder if they are more concerned with the collection plate than in properly tending the flock.

   Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14: 6).  When we back away, when we tolerate sin, even encouraging it by our acceptance rather than offend, we are all complicit in the sinfulness and failing in our faith.