Words from the Rock
If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. If he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won’t listen, tell the church. If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love.
Matthew 18:15–17 Message
Jesus knows that humans, by nature, don’t really get along. Oh, things might go smoothly for a while, but eventually even the of best friends get into a dispute. Married couples have fights. Partners in business disagree. Even churches have been known to have their squabbles. So Jesus lays down some very important ground rules about relationships between Christians.
Unfortunately, many of us turn our backs on Jesus’s words, tossing out these rules when it comes to settling differences. Sometimes we’re more concerned about being right than making things right. So here are the rules. You might want to copy them down on an index card just in case you ever need them.
My Prayer
Dear God,
Show me how to take good care of my relationships with others. When I have a disagreement, help me to handle it correctly.
Amen.
Final Word
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9 NIV
Stone for the Journey
God can help me to love others even when it’s not easy.