Conflict Resolution
4 Sep, 2016
Conflict Resolution is one area a family has to be good at. In the blood related family there may be feuds as there is in any social setting. This can also be seen in the church setting. Interestingly the best that conflicts have been handled has been through three basic methods.
The first approach is love covers all. This is found in I Peter 4:8(NKJV) “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins"". What Peter seems to say here is that love masks all trespasses? Even the love of Christ has covered our sins, so should we also be able to do the same to those who trespass against us. This is just love.
The second approach is the Jesus method of conflict resolution. This is clearly outlined in the 18th Chapter of Matthew as follows (NKJV)
15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
It is as is said in the chapter simple.
The third approach is forgiveness. Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And Luke 17:4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you,[saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” If you forgive as our Lord Jesus does then you will also be forgiven. The prayer that Jesus taught says in part “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us. This was a very clever way of teaching that made sure that we had to ask for forgiveness because we were able to understand forgiveness.
Now before I go further to breakdown this. I want us to start discussing the matter. Tell me your options and why. Also tell me your experience of this. Let the spirit lead.
The first approach is love covers all. This is found in I Peter 4:8(NKJV) “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins"". What Peter seems to say here is that love masks all trespasses? Even the love of Christ has covered our sins, so should we also be able to do the same to those who trespass against us. This is just love.
The second approach is the Jesus method of conflict resolution. This is clearly outlined in the 18th Chapter of Matthew as follows (NKJV)
15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
It is as is said in the chapter simple.
The third approach is forgiveness. Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And Luke 17:4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you,[saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” If you forgive as our Lord Jesus does then you will also be forgiven. The prayer that Jesus taught says in part “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us. This was a very clever way of teaching that made sure that we had to ask for forgiveness because we were able to understand forgiveness.
Now before I go further to breakdown this. I want us to start discussing the matter. Tell me your options and why. Also tell me your experience of this. Let the spirit lead.
