In Galatians 5:11, Paul spoke of "the offense of the cross". The word "offense" means "anything that arouses prejudice, or becomes a hindrance to others, or causes them to fall by the way" (Vine's Expository Dictionary). It is sometimes translated "a stumbling block". By the cross, Paul does not mean the actual wood, but salvation wholly by a crucified Saviour! Paul tells us in no uncertain terms that the true message of the cross is an offense to many; ie. "something that arouses prejudice", or something that people find to be a stumbling stone. In other words, the natural man finds the message of the cross offensive.
This should not be surprising. The Lord promised His disciples that the world would hate them because of their message. Actually, the most sure token of God's blessing upon us is persecution. "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye: for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you." I realize many religious people are persecuted because of their offensive behavior. That certainly is not persecution for Christ's sake. But if we are persecuted because of a faithful delivery of the Truth, then God's blessing is upon us. In reality, we should fear the praise of men more than their curse! "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets" (Luke 6:26). Paul said in Galatians 1:10, "If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." This should lead us all to ask ourselves the question: Is the Gospel I believe causing men to be offended? If not, I do not believe the Gospel of God!
How does the Gospel of Christ offend men? In at least these five ways.
The cross offends the wisdom of men because it declares that salvation comes through revelation. The ditch digger and the learned doctor are alike totally dependent upon God to make Himself known. The knowledge of God does not come by intelligence or education, but by revelation (I Corinthians 2:14).
The cross offends the dignity of man because it addresses all men as sinners , and totally unable to do anything to save themselves (Romans 3:10-12).
The cross offends our sense of personal rights by declaring that God is sovereign in salvation. He saves whom He will. He is not in our hands. We are in His! We lost all rights in the fall of our Father Adam and by our own personal sin. He can save whom He pleases, or pass by whom He pleases with no infringement on His justice. A sinner cannot demand his rights! He has no option but to sue for mercy! (Romans 9:11-18).
The cross offends men's pride because it declares a salvation that is all of grace! Every aspect of salvation, from election to glorification, and everything in between is all of God's grace, "not by works, lest any man should boast". The proud moralist and the prostitute are saved the precise same way. By the sovereign grace of God! (Ephesians 2: 8-10).
The cross offends men's love of self and sin by calling for self denial. We are commanded (this is not optional) to "deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him". We cannot follow Christ and continue in our self-love, self-righteousness, or self-gratification (Matthew 16: 24-26).
Although these things are offensive to the natural man, they are not offensive to the believer! Do these things offend you?