Even if they forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you too. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. mat. 6:14-16
As we saw in the previous points, conflicts by their nature are more than differences of opinion. This response, if adopted for the most negative expression, can lead to retaliation and even retaliation. Emotions are often hurt, harsh words are spoken, rebellion, disagreement, rebellion, vengeance is an antithesis of how the Bible tells us to relate to each other. Someone needs to first apologize and ask for forgiveness. As Christians, we ask God to forgive us for the terrible sins of our past, but in many cases, we don’t want to forgive others, even in the church. That’s wrong.
I was hurt once in the church and couldn’t even go back. Then one Sunday morning I realized how wrong it was for me to prevent someone else’s actions from worshiping me. When I entered the church that day, one of the people who hurt me admitted they were wrong and asked for my forgiveness. When this person accepted the responsibility, it was huge. Why couldn’t he forgive him? Even if they didn’t ask, I had to forgive myself to free myself from the sin of my heart that had relentlessly hardened in my mind.
Be kind and compassionate towards one another, and forgive one another, just as the God of Christ will forgive you. Epe. 4:32
If you are unhappy with someone, endure each other and forgive each other. Forgive me because the Lord has forgiven you. And put love over all these virtues, and it brings them all together perfectly. Col. 3:13-14
None of the five sinful ways to respond to the disputed conflict are suitable for followers of Jesus Christ. The Bible reveals that God provided a sound Bible way for Christians to resolve conflicts and avoid negative consequences of unresolved conflicts.
While acknowledging the possibility of conflict can teach children that we don’t always agree, God has outlined us how to respond biblically. Sadly, in today’s culture we see all ages, from children to aged adults, who don’t know how to engage in discussions and disagreements without verbal and sometimes physically attacking. Many may agree to oppose it, but they have never learned how to overcome conflict in a way that both sides feel heard.
Everyone in the church is at various spiritual levels and maturity. Some people may be wrong and misleading their own opinions. Some young Christians are still learning what Christian life is and what it is not. Others may not be Christians.
Even if the person you are at odds is not a Christian or doesn’t believe in the Bible, if you are calm and responding biblically, then you may find that others respond appropriately, as we should have always been Christians. At least you know what you did.
Learning how to resolve conflicts will help us to continue to communicate humbly in a biblical way, humble, loving way. Unresolved conflicts can cause gossip, inconsistency, pride, unkindness, anger, forgiveness, and even revenge. When we resist Satan by adopting Christlike behavior, our enemies will retreat, at least for now. He will return with a new strategy, but do not allow him to gain footing in your church.
It is important to remember that the “church” is God’s house and gathering place, and that he is the head of the house, God’s family. He is the only perfect person in his home! The rest of the church, including pastors, elders and leadership, are incomplete people. They make mistakes. They have a higher call, so their mistakes can have long-term consequences, which will suffer from consequences. Sometimes we put our idyllic staff on the pedestal and expect more than we expect from God. It always leads to disappointment.
“Peace is not a lack of conflict. It is Jesus in the middle of conflict,” Pastor Rob McCoy.
The fool laughs at making up for sin, but the goodwill stands upright. Pr. 14:9
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