“What’s True for You?”
A question we hear all the time. And yet, it’s not a question Jesus ever asked. We live in a world drowning in opinions but starving for truth. A world where facts are negotiable, feelings rule, and truth is something you “choose” or “feel.”
Welcome to the post-truth era—where everyone has a story, but not everyone has the truth.
If you’re a Christian, this can feel like walking through a cultural minefield. Speak boldly, and you risk being labeled intolerant or irrelevant. Stay silent, and the truth gets drowned out by louder voices.
I remember a time when sharing my faith felt like walking on eggshells. The fear of rejection or offending kept me silent for far too long. But I realized silence wasn’t neutral—it was complicity. When I chose to speak truth in love, God opened doors and hearts in ways I never expected. If you feel that tension, you’re not alone.
So why does Jesus still offend? Why does the gospel still make people uncomfortable—and why is it still the only hope for a lost world?
Jesus’ Message: The Ultimate Offense—and the Ultimate Hope
Jesus wasn’t a safe middle ground. He was scandalous, divisive, and provocative. He called out hypocrisy, challenged the status quo, and demanded loyalty that no one else dared to ask for.
Here’s why:
1. Because He Shatters Our Self-Made Myths
Culture says: “You are enough. You are your own hero.” Jesus says: “You need me. You can’t fix yourself.” That truth shakes the foundation of our pride and independence.
Paul puts it plainly:
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. — 1 Corinthians 1:18
This verse highlights the radical divide between worldly wisdom and God’s truth. What seems foolish or offensive to some is actually the power that saves and transforms lives.
2. Because He Exposes Our Deepest Failures
No one likes being told they’re wrong—especially about their heart. But the gospel confronts sin head-on, not to shame, but to save. John writes:
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. — 1 John 1:8
This honest admission is the first step toward healing and freedom. The gospel offers grace, but only when we recognize our need for it.
3. Because He Commands Complete Allegiance
Jesus doesn’t offer a menu of options; He demands surrender.
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. — Luke 9:23
In a culture that prizes freedom as “do whatever feels right,” Jesus’ call sounds restrictive. And that can be deeply offensive.
Navigating the Post-Truth Culture
We live in an age where personal experience often trumps objective facts. The internet amplifies every voice, often without filters or accountability. Social media feeds swirl with opinions and emotions, drowning out truth with noise.
In this digital Babel, clarity about truth is harder than ever to find. It’s tempting to avoid difficult conversations or water down our beliefs to fit in. But this only deepens confusion and leaves people lost without a firm foundation.
Yet, the Gospel Is Our Only Hope
In a world where truth feels subjective and hope is in short supply, the gospel remains:
A beacon of hope for the hopeless (1 Peter 1:3)
The source of true transformation (Ezekiel 36:26)
The foundation of objective truth in a sea of shifting opinions (John 14:6)
The good news? Jesus doesn’t come to condemn but to rescue.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. — Matthew 11:28
Beware the “Soft Gospel” That Won’t Offend
In an attempt to be “relevant,” many dilute the gospel—turning it into a feel-good message of self-acceptance without repentance. But a gospel that never offends is a gospel without power.
Paul warns:
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. — Galatians 1:10
We need to preach the full gospel—truth and love together.
How to Speak Truth with Love in a Post-Truth World
- 1. Speak Clearly, Not Cryptically
The gospel is not a code to be decoded; it’s a proclamation to be declared boldly.
- 2. Lead With Compassion, Not Condemnation
Remember Jesus’ grace toward sinners—the woman caught in adultery, Zacchaeus the tax collector, the thief on the cross.
- 3. Live Out What You Believe
Your life will preach louder than your words.
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
- 4. Address Your Fears
It’s natural to fear rejection or ridicule when sharing faith. But Jesus promises:
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.”
Lean on that promise when courage feels scarce.
What This Means for You
If you feel marginalized or misunderstood because of your faith, remember—you are following in the footsteps of Christ Himself. The gospel has always been a scandal and a salvation.
Ask yourself:
- Am I compromising the gospel to fit in?
- How can I lovingly but boldly share the truth?
- What does it look like to live authentically in this culture?
Try this small exercise: Identify one truth about Jesus you find difficult to share. Pray for the courage to live and speak it this week, trusting God to guide your steps.
Final Encouragement
When the world embraces shadows and denies the light, we are called to shine brighter—bold in truth, rich in grace, and unshakable in faith. The gospel offends because it frees; it challenges because it heals. Stand firm. Speak boldly. Live as a beacon of hope in a darkened age.
