It is sometimes laughable the
reason believers claim to be offended; and even more interesting is our strong
conviction that because we are offended, a millstone must be hanging on our
offender’s neck to drown them. This is one of many hilarious things we like to believe
which in reality, reveals the extent of vileness of our hearts. There is no
doubt that people are sometimes genuinely offended but every offended person must
realize that they will in turn offend others, which is only natural, so that the
millstone is definitely coming on their necks and will remain for as long as
their offender’s millstone is hanging around his own neck since they did not forgive
their offender in a bid to ensure he drowns. At the end of the day, there may
be more people drowning than they imagined; for they also, may drown.
Luke 11: 4 “and
forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”
We must be careful always to
separate between offences caused because our flesh is experiencing pain of
defeat by the truth of the word of God separate from true offences. We must be
well aware that truth causes pain and the word of God is truth with the
greatest potential of inflicting pain. Its purpose always is to bring about a circumcision
of the heart and circumcision is a painful process whether of the heart or of
any part of the body. Whenever people were circumcised in bible days, they were
allowed a period of healing because of the pain inflicted by the cut which also
needs to heal. Now circumcision is of the heart and the knife is the word of
God; so it leaves a wound in the heart which must heal. There is time to “lick your
wounds” before you continue with life otherwise you will make stupid decisions
that may mar your life and/or destiny forever. There is an adage that says “the
truth is always painful” and so it is; if you can’t take it, don’t seek God for
He is truth. He wounds and yet, He heals.
Jesus, the captain of our faith,
was a mighty instrument of offence. He unapologetically offended people
everywhere He went so much so that they sort to kill Him. Yet isn’t it amazing that
in all of these, His entire purpose for coming to earth to endure a painful
death was love; the love He has for mankind particularly these very people He
offended since He came primarily for the lost sheep of Israel. What greater
love can any man have for another than to lay down His life for him yet they
were offended by the very one who loved them enough to lay down His life for
them and may have been stupid enough to imagine that a millstone was hanging on
His neck since they felt offended by Him. Well, as we know, not only did He
ascend on high, He is seated at the right of God even now.
Hebrews 4: 12 – 13a
“for the word of God is alive and powerful. It is shaper than the sharpest
two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joints and marrows,
it exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is
hidden from God.”
The word of God is a weapon of
offence. It is referred to above as the sharpest two-edged sword. When the word
of God inflicts pain on us, let us bear the pain with a dignified posture for
it would pass; you shall heal. Don’t waste energy throwing tantrums like a
spoilt brat; your problem is with the word who is seated at the right hand of
the father and not even the angels can hang a millstone on His neck for you. It
is time to grow up. Adulthood suggests that life as well as the word of God
will deal some blows but we take them all in our stride, the Holy Ghost being
our helper.
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