Why is the offense of the cross important for Christians?

The offense of the cross is crucial because it confronts the sinner with the stark reality of their condition before a holy God. By emphasizing the cross's offense, believers recognize that the gospel is not about making people comfortable, but about addressing the need for repentance and faith in Christ. In Galatians 5:11, Paul argues that if he were to compromise the message of the cross, he would not be persecuted, thus implying that the unvarnished message is indeed divisive. Acknowledging and embracing the cross's offense enables the believer to fully appreciate the grace offered, leading to genuine faith and submission to Christ, away from the errors of a merely human-centered approach to spirituality.