2 Cor 11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
Above is a small excerpt from Paul’s presentation. In context, Paul offers a commonality to the church in Corinth that he too has been weak; he too has been offended. However, the result of those offenses never deterred him from serving people. He did not allow the wound to keep him from ministering or serving. In fact, he once returned to the same city that stoned him and left him for dead. Paul was kingdom-minded enough to love those who hated him and serve those who hurt him.
Offense is often a two-way street. Life is filled with such wounds which come from rejection or words. We have all been subject to false accusations which impugn our character. Many have been subject to truth without love which cuts the heart. These things are part of life, but we know that what happens to us or against us is not nearly as important as how we respond to it.
The question is whether an offense will keep you from the work of the Kingdom. Joseph was wounded in the house of his brothers and he was healed in the same company. He was spitefully used and maliciously maligned, and yet, he embraced those who hurt him. This is the pattern of Jesus Christ, but it is not always welcomed among Christians. Many embrace those infractions and then rehearse them, even posting them on social media. They feel it is their right to declare who offended them and what they are doing to recover. This is a far deviation from the path of Jesus Christ.
The reality is that all of us will suffer. The secret is how we handle hurt.
I submit that all of our offenses must be carried to the foot of the Cross. Calvary is the final resting place of every wound, hurt, ugly word, and hateful thing that has ever happened to us. To speak of the offense is to reject the work of the Blood of the Lamb. To spread the offense means that no real forgiveness has occurred. Ultimately, and sadly, there will be people who miss the rapture because they failed to offer what Jesus offered them. That is why it is incumbent upon us to remember what the Lord has done for us.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole