John echoed the words of the Prophet Elijah, written in the Book of Isaiah. He was fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. It was foretold that a messenger would prepare the way for the Messiah.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.— Isaiah 40:3
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.— Malachi 3:1
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:.... — Malachi 4:5
DO NOT OFFEND ME.
The boundaries of what is appropriate or offensive have dramatically changed. Because the western world has stepped away from the traditional Judaeo-Christian worldview, we no longer have a unanimous, cohesive reference point for what is right or wrong, or for even what is funny or offensive. The sins explained in the Bible have mostly been replaced with new sins that have been invented within radical liberalism: misogyny, homophobia, racism (now re-defined), hate speech (almost anything that does not agree with liberalism), climate change denial, and on and on, making it up as they go.
Recognizing that the ungodly NOW determine what is offensive or not, at least in the worldly system, should Christians care? Should Christians concern themselves with political-correctness?
Most Christians, hopefully, still look to the Bible for guidance and its instruction is clear to those that honestly listen. Clearly, John the Baptist was not concerned about political-correctness or being offensive. He called them a "brood of vipers". He insulted the Jews by telling them that being born a Jew is NOT good enough. John criticized them all and gave them instruction on what is right and wrong, every class, even the Roman soldier occupying their land. He even went so far as to call out the King for his sin of divorce and unlawful re-marriage. John was not concerned about offending people. He was living out his purpose. He came to preach against sin and introduce the world to the Messiah. For telling the truth, he was beheaded. Why did he put his life on the line like that? Why would he die for the truth? Is it that important?
Apparently, it is not important enough to Christians today. We have lost our fire, our boldness. Where are our Christians like John? Maybe there aren't any around anymore. Spiritually speaking: maybe they all have been beheaded; or they are still in the desert, eating locusts and wild honey.
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