now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. [2 corinthians 2:5]
there are two major ideas in this verse alone that I want you to see.
1. paul is not hurt. why is paul not hurt? he knows where his identity lies. he knows he is complete is Christ (col 2:10), washed, justified, and sanctified (1 cor 6:11). he knows he is shielded by God’s power (1 peter 1:5). paul knows that he is part of a holy and royal priesthood (1 peter 2:5-9). he knows that he is greatly loved (romans 1:7). paul knows he is a citizen of heaven and no one can do anything to change that (phil 3:20).
our identity in Christ is something we have now, we can live in today. when others pain us or wrong us it does change who we are. this is like owning a bike, caring for a bike, walking the bike around a park, but never getting onto the bike and riding it. our identity in Christ is to be lived out now, not shifted by every action of those around us.
2. sin hurts. now this does not negate our identity, but it does hurt. and our sin hurts the body of Christ. it seeps into our relationships with ease and slowly, can affect all of those around us.
today run to God. run to his presence. run into his arms. ask him to remind you of your identity in him. ask him to show you who he says you are. ask him to show you your sin. ask him who you need to reconcile with. then go and reconcile.
~ holly russell