RECONCILE YOUR CONFLICTS. Matthew 5:9, 23-26.

Posted bySteven WalesPosted inpeacemakerTags:, , , , , , ,

Recently a woman told me that God made her a fighter. She argued that feuding with people was her calling, where reconciliation was the calling of ministers and Bible teachers. She seemed to think the two options were equally valid, as if God designed her to be someone who fights nasty, bitter battles (her extremely messy divorce comes to mind), and God made pastors and counselors to be peacemakers.

People often make false, unbiblical comparisons, believing that God has a different plan for ministers and Bible teachers than for lay people. I could not disagree more. There is no difference in God’s expectations for ministers and non-ministers—and Jesus put a lot of emphasis on reconciling conflict.

“If you are offering your gift on the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. FIRST, go and be reconciled with your brother, and THEN come and present your gift” Matthew 5:23-24.

Jesus says making PEACE means more to Him than your gifts or tithes or sacrifices for God. FIX your relationship problems.

“Reach a settlement QUICKLY with your adversary while you are on the way to the courthouse. Otherwise, he will hand you over to the judge and the judge will throw you in prison. You won’t get out of there until you’ve repaid every penny!” Matthew 5:25-26.

Jesus endorses compromising. Settling. Apologizing. After all, He proclaimed, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the SONS OF GOD.” Matthew 5:9. ‘Sons of God’? What a great title!

Jesus wants us to make things right. Most of the time, both parties are at fault and both should compromise. Once in a while—very rarely—you have to take a stand and NOT give in. But usually Jesus wants our lives to be characterized by forgiveness and peace. Or as His words in John 13:35 were set to music: “they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” Paul encourages the same:

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, BE AT PEACE WITH ALL MEN” Romans 12:18.

Love others. Give grace. Repeat.

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Published by Steven Wales

Dad's Daily Devotional began as text messages to my family. I wanted my teenagers to know their father was reading the Bible. But they were at school by then. Initially, I sent them a favorite verse or an insight based on what I read each day. That grew into drafting a devotional readng which I would send them via text. I work as an attorney and an adjunct professor, and recently wrote a book called HOW TO MAKE A'S.

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