Conflict ~ Reconciliation

Conflict ~ Reconciliation

Reconciliation is the process of re-establishing a relationship. Re-establish is the process of bringing together something that has gone apart. In our endeavor to be like Christ, we should remember that He came to be the “peace between God and man” and is described as our Mediator. God sent Jesus to Earth to reconcile us because we are in conflict with God “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim.2:4-6.) You are most like Jesus Christ when you are reconciling torn relationships, whether your own or with others. You are most like Jesus when you’re building bridges, not walls.

It’s always more rewarding to resolve the conflict than to dissolve a relationship. It definitely is not easier, but it’s more rewarding. At times, there are people in your life you want to just wash your hands of because the struggle is simply not worth it. You can do that, but there isn't any reward it, and there certainly isn't any joy on anyone's part. It’s always more rewarding to resolve a conflict than to dissolve a relationship. We are instructed, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Rom 12:17-19

One fact for those who seek to be the people that God wants them to be, is that you cannot make peace with other people until YOU make peace with God. Perhaps that’s part of the problem? We are not at peace with God in our lives and therefore cannot be at peace with ourselves. When not at peace with ourselves, and as such find it difficult to be at peace with others. First you've got to make peace with God. Then you get the peace of God that enables you to attempt to make peace with others. That’s the starting point: You need to get peace in your heart by letting the Prince of Peace inside. Paul stated, “bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Col.3:12-14)

It is a human trait, that we are simply not going to be able to agree on everything. There will never be resolution on all your issues. Can you have a loving relationship without agreeing on everything? Of course you can. If you learn to disagree without being disagreeable, that’s called wisdom. If you learn that you can have unity without total robotic uniformity, that’s called wisdom. If you learn to walk hand in hand without having to see eye to eye on every nuance, that’s called wisdom. You don’t have to agree on every issue to come to reconciliation. Yet remember what Jesus says, “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Matt 18:18-20

If you focus on the relationship and not the issues, you’re going to find that some of the issues you’re arguing over are just not that important. Some things just aren't worth arguing about. You need to let it go!

Jim