Offense

 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.
Galatians 5:11 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/gal.5.11.ESV

The Roman world tolerated a bit of religion. Judaism was a 'protected characteristic'. If people wanted to be circumcised, the Romans didn't have a problem with that.

What the Romans didn't tolerate was faith in Jesus as a crucified Lord. After all, it was the Romans who crucified Him in the first place. Crucifixion was taboo: the idea that the crucified Christ, rather than Caesar, was Lord, was anathema.

The world nowadays tolerates a bit of religion. If people want to be circumcised, or sprinkled with water as babies, or whatever else, there doesn't tend to be a problem with that. It is assumed that Jesus plus something or other like baptism or whatever else, is okay.

The idea that our hope can be found in Christ crucified alone is, to this day, seemingly unacceptable. The idea we can't earn our own salvation, but that we need a Saviour who is Christ the Lord isn't countenanced by the powers that be. Yet Jesus is the only way.

'God, forbid that we should trust anything or anyone other than Christ crucified for our salvation. Please give us the conviction that He is enough, and to live for His honour. In His name we pray, amen'

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