Father, my mind is a flood with so many things. Old things, possibilities of new things, confusing things… I am not a worrier on many fronts but I am struggling. I pray that I am leaving them all in Your more than capable hands. May I trust You and not fret. Help me to go about my life so as to please You in all I say and do…and think. Amen.
Matthew 18:15-18 (<<click the green)
This is a clear directive of handling conflict amongst believers from the mouth of the Lord. But…do we do it? If I were to ask for a show of hands as to how many like conflict, many would not raise their hands for fear of offending someone! Now I know there are also those who thrive on conflict and stir it up whenever possible.
But over my lifetime I have seen more conflict in the body of Christ than I care to remember. And honestly, I can’t recall a single instance when our Lord’s directive was followed.
It’s just easier to avoid conflict, isn’t it? But in reality, it is not good for us or the body of Christ. If you think about it, it’s the Cancer of Sin all over again, just from another angle. Healing can only take place when the sin is eradicated. But if we avoid it – it will eventually kill us!
So what do you think? Isn’t God’s word sound? 2 Timothy 3:16 states,
“All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]…” AMP
I’m not one to run into the fray but…really…honestly…that needs to change. Lord, help me – in Your unfathomable love – to be the follower I am called to be. May I not shy from conflict but embrace deeper, fuller relationships based on our shared love in and for You. Amen.
July 26th, 2018, Thurs, 11:00 am
