Unlimited: The Offense of the Cross
Jan 12, 2022 964
…the offense of the cross (Gal 5:11, NIV).
Do you know someone who’s easily offended? Perhaps it’s you and me. And if we are among this group, then we should consider the offense of the Cross.
For the offense of the Cross is not Christ’s offense, it is your offense against Christ. It was an immoral, unjust, depraved offense. You were its perpetrator, Christ the victim, yet he bore it for you.
The rocky hilltop of Calvary is vast enough to encompass the whole world, yet it is not large enough to accommodate the easily offended. The gospel is based on understanding one’s own badness, and God’s own goodness. Either of these principles is sufficient to disqualify us from ever being easily offended again.
When you are tempted to be easily offended, consider the offense of the Cross.
The offense of the Cross is so vast that is swallows up all other offenses; yes, even those for which we have borne a grudge for years. It is all vanity and pettiness in the shadow of the Cross.
The only ones who can rightfully claim to have understood the grace of God are those who cannot withhold it from others in their own lives. The Cross means that forgiveness for others should flow from our hearts even in the midst of the greatest offense.
When you are tempted to be easily offended, consider the offense of the Cross, and never be offended again. – Eliezer Gonzalez
Reflection: Do you know someone who is easily offended? Have you been hurt by that person? Ask God to search your heart for any bitterness that you may have there, so that you may forgive that person fully.
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