Who Are You Going to Offend?

By Mark Batterson, Christian Post Guest Columnist Monday, January 10, 2011

One of the most important decisions you'll ever make is this: who are you going to offend? You'll offend somebody, I promise you that. But will you offend man or God? That single decision will set the tone of your life. Either you'll become a people-pleaser because you're afraid of offending people. Or you'll become a God-pleaser because the last thing you want to do is offend the Almighty.

It's hard not to draw tremendous inspiration from the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. King Nebuchadnezzar had shown them great favor and put them in positions of authority. It had to be difficult to refuse to bow to his ninety foot statue. He was the second-to-last person that they wanted to offend. The first? God.

Daniel 3:16 says, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."

It was their unwillingness to offend God that set the table for one of the most amazing miracles in Scripture. God delivers them from the fiery furnace.

Who are you going to offend? You need to settle it now.

Adapted from Mark Batterson's weblog at markbatterson.com. Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church (www.theaterchurch.com) in Washington, D.C. One church with nine services in five locations, NCC is focused on reaching emerging generations. Mark is the author of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase and is a daily blogger at www.markbatterson.com. Mark and his wife Lora live on Capitol Hill with their three children."