LIVE IN PEACE

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go.  First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”  –Matthew 5:23-24  (ESV)

 

And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”  –Mark 11:25  (BSB)

 

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.  –Romans 12:18 (NLT)

 

Aren’t those some pretty powerful lessons that Jesus is teaching us about how we ought to be living each day in our Christian lives?

 

Photo courtesy of Pamela P. Stroud under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

What do all three of these verses encompass that we encounter almost daily in this life?  The process and importance of…..

 

Reconciliation–Forgiveness–Peace

 

 

What word best relates to these words?

 

CONFLICT

 

Specifically conflict with other people in our lives.

 

When you think of the word conflict what feelings does it illicit from you?

 

I imagine feelings of uneasiness, uncomfortableness, or trying to avoid it at all costs?

 

 

Unfortunately, conflict is a natural part of life and interacting with others no matter how hard we try to avoid it!

 

It seems logical that it has some to do with God making each of us so unique, each of us thinking and being a little different from another; therefore we won’t always see eye to eye. Possibly this may lead to conflict with others.

 

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Let’s reread those Bible verses, Jesus’ instruction manual, again one at a time:

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go.  First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”  –Matthew 5:23-24  (ESV)

 

Photo courtesy of Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P. under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0); words added by hopetoinspireyou.com

 

Isn’t this basically saying if you know there is some conflict in your life, you should try your best to make it right and not hold a grudge against anyone? If someone has something against you because of something you have done, go make it right with that person, then return to the altar and present yourself to God.

 

Have you ever had a case though where there was some strife and you tried to make things right with someone but they refused to work the issue out with you?

 

Maybe you knew there was something you needed to settle and say to someone to set the record straight even if they did not accept it?

 

In these cases, we need to clear our conscience; we need to do our part to make it right. If someone does not accept our attempt to make things right, it is their issue. We are only accountable for our actions.

 

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And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”  –Mark 11:25  (BSB)

 

Photo courtesy of Live Life Happy under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

 

Wow! That seems like a pretty powerful, direct command, isn’t it?

What is this verse telling us about conflict?  Yes, that WE need to forgive others for ANY hurt they may have caused us.

We need to let the differences, the conflict, the unforgiveness go, no matter how big or small it is. Focusing on our relationship with the Lord may be key in exercising that forgiveness. Only with His power can we forgive others.

 

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Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.  –Romans 12:18 (NLT)

 

Photo courtesy of Marco Fieber under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

How can you do all you can to live in peace with everyone in relation to conflict?

 

Try to resolve any conflict as soon as you can.

Take time to process the conflict first.

Did you misinterpret something or did someone else?

What can you do to make it right?

Calmly share your side of the story.

Apologize if you need to.

Ask for forgiveness.

 

 

Sometimes our best effort is not received the way we thought or hoped it would be.  Live in peace knowing you did what you could to make peace with the person and situation.  Then you know God is well pleased with your efforts and you will be living in peace.

 

Photo courtesy of PiX Fav under Creative Commons License (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

 

 

As a little side note about conflict, it seems sometimes we think the conflict is resolved in our life but maybe after a few days you realize you are still bitter or hurt. Give it one more shot trying to explain your thoughts and feelings.

If we do not do that, it leaves room for anger and bitterness to build up, and then other areas of our life are affected.  Have you ever noticed that?

When something just isn’t right, it has a ripple effect on the other areas of our life.  So, I encourage you to try to resolve any conflicts you have sooner rather than later.  If something is still bothering you, give one more valiant attempt at resolving it.

 Your life will be much better and soon you will be on the “right” track once again.  If it still doesn’t work out, give it to God and let it go knowing you did all you could!

 

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.  –Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)