This is a time when to be offended is to have power. There is a culture of compliant. All corporates have a department that encourages such feedback: the benign reason is that it allows for services to improve. The less benign reasons are that it makes people cautious, as they do not want such a compliant on their record.
In Christ we have liberty, but we have to use this carefully. Paul starts with that principle, and then applies it to an issue — where do you buy meat.
23“All things are lawful,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other. 25Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, 26for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.” 27If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience – 29I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my liberty be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
31So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved.
The systematizer in me notes that the two principles that we have: look for the other’s advantage and do everything to glorify God — fall into the two great commandments of the old Law — Love the Lord your God and love your neighbour as yourself.
Well and good. We should live not to give offense. We should dress in such a way, eat in such a way…
But this is Paul. Paul offended people. Paul caused riots. He was described as the person who turned the world upside down. Because… what he said was offensive, and it is offensive. Our actions should glorify God. We should not flaunt our liberty foolishly.
But we should not stop saying that in Christ and Christ alone is there entry into the kingodom of God and live everlasting. All other ways lead to the pit. We need to say this despite the fact if offends, it is intolerant, and reminding people that they, like us, are sinners, containing and doing evil, on a road to perdition will decrease their self esteem.
The truth is not tolerant of error. Nor should we be.