Practice Mutual Discipline

Creation: A Divine Cycle
The Birthing of a New Community

Christ Creates Holy Living

Matthew 18:15-20. The Message

15-17 “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.
18-20 “Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”

For Reflection

So, who is responsible for the first move? It seems to me, the responsibility for resolving issues belongs to the one who feels wronged. After all, the one who slighted or hurt you may not realize it. Thinking that because the other is the one to blame, he or she should apologize is an ineffective starting point for forgiveness and restitution.

How many attempts should one make to resolve differences? As many as it takes to achieve mutual resolution, an infinite number. After all, are not both of your souls at stake?

Pray

for the courage to take the first step. Pray that you will approach the resolution of conflict humbly, malice-free, and seeking the others best interest as your first interest. Pray so that you and God are in sync. Pray for God's whispered words of comfort and counsel.