Title: Purpose-driven life (20) Broken...
Contents
Purpose Driven Life (20) Restoring Broken Relationships
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:18 / All things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
It is said that the wind and the sun made a bet on who would take off the gentleman's coat, and no matter how windy the wind blows, the gentleman holds his coat tightly, but the sun is shining and he takes off his coat. So it is a fairy tale that the sun has won. The meaning contained in this fairy tale shows us that the secret to opening the door lies not in law and violence, but in love and forgiveness. The father who loved the prodigal son did not accept the prodigal son because he was worthy of love. Even though I knew that he was a prodigal prodigal, he tolerated and loved me.
“God demonstrates his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). This is the love of God. In the end, the father waited for the prodigal son with the expectation that the prodigal son would surely return to his father's arms at some point.
We have many neighbors around us. Neighbors are actually closer than blood relatives who live far away. Because it is easier to share the emotions of joy and sorrow. That's why the term 'neighbors' seems to have been coined. Neighbors are a gift from God to us. However, living with neighbors is not so easy. As we go through life, sometimes our neighbors are not welcomed, and sometimes we want them to disappear somewhere else. But whether we like it or not, we have no choice but to live with our neighbors. Even if we are tired of living in a woeful way, human beings cannot live on an uninhabited island.
That is why even prisons keep felons in solitary confinement. In the early days of communism, it happened in a prison under the former Soviet Union. There, the prisoners were put in a cell where all light was blocked, and contact with outsiders was cut off. After 20 days, most of the prisoners went crazy, but strangely, the prisoners who were being tortured and interrogated every day were rather healthy. This fact provides a prime example that biological food is not an absolute requirement for human survival.
This is the story of the Holt Children's Welfare Society. Most of the children Holt met during the Korean War were ill. He put children who could be cured in hospitals, and took care of children who were deemed hopeless. However, the results were surprising. While most of the children admitted to the hospital died, the children he took with him started to get better. All he could do for the children left at home was to hug them. The love passed on through the skin saved the lives of children from death. In this way, love is life. It is love that causes the events of life. God has given us neighbors so that we may love one another and bring about the events of life.
Because life is learning how to love, God wants us to value relationships and, whenever there is a rift or conflict, strive to maintain them rather than break them. If you want to receive God's blessing and shine as a child of God, you must become a mediator and peacemaker (Matthew 5:9). The second purpose of our lives is to live in love with one another by actively working to resolve conflicts, although many do not want to do it because the mediator position is difficult. To make peace does not mean to make concessions. Sometimes Jesus refused to back down in the face of many problems and his evil opponents.
Let's look at seven biblical ways to restore relationships.
1. Talk to God before you talk to people.
Pour out your heart to God through prayer. Most conflicts arise when needs are not met, and there are some needs that only God can fill. No one but God can meet all our needs.
2. Always go first.
He has commanded that the restoration of broken relationships be given priority over worship. Whether we are victims or perpetrators, reach out first. (Matthew 5:23-24) Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go first, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Procrastination only deepens the anger and makes the problem worse. Conflicts are not resolved with time, and with time, the wounds only heal.
3. Empathize with their feelings.
Before trying to resolve a conflict, you must first listen to how people feel and consider them even if there are doubts and fears because their feelings are not always sincere or logical. We must remember the wrath and insult that Jesus endured in love to serve us.
4. Confess that I am also at fault.
Since we are not perfect, our actions must be evaluated by God and by a third party. You have to think deeply about "Am I the problem? Am I unrealistic and dull? Or am I too sensitive?" and always look at yourself. Before making excuses or shifting responsibility, humbly admit your mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
5. Attack the problem, not the person.
If you put effort into trying to figure out who the wrong person is, you will not be able to solve the problem. Even in times of conflict, we must never use nuclear weapons that attack people with accusations, comparisons, judgments, insults, contempt, and sarcastic attitudes.
6. Collaborate as much as you can.
Peace always comes at a price. The price may be our pride or our egocentrism. But for the sake of reconciliation, we must do our best to yield, to be accommodating and to show goodwill to his needs. (2 Corinthians 5:18) All things are of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
7. Emphasize reconciliation, not resolution
Resolution focuses on the problem, whereas reconciliation focuses on the relationship. Even among members of the church, when there is a just and honest difference of opinion or disagreement, it is possible to object to it without offending it. God wants unity, not uniformity. Therefore, we can live together even if we do not have the same view on all issues. This is not to give up the solution of the problem, but to continue to discuss and argue, but all this must be done in spiritual harmony.
The Bible puts reconciliation ahead of any religious ceremony. “If you do not forgive a man’s trespass, neither will your Father forgive your trespass” (Matthew 6:15). “If you are offering your gift on the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, bring your gift. Leave it in front of the altar, and go first and be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24) God values reconciliation with brothers above all else. It means that any worship without reconciliation is meaningless.
What is the most precious thing in the world? Money, fame, and status are important. But there is no meaning if reconciliation is lost there. “It is better to have only a piece of dry bread, and to be at peace than to have a house full of flesh and to quarrel” (Proverbs 17:1). will be However, even if we eat porridge and live in one room, if we live in harmony, love, and gratitude for each other, that place will be heaven. A church without reconciliation is not a church, and a family without reconciliation is not a family. You will have to make sure that you have peace before you achieve anything and own anything.
Jesus said to his disciples, "Whenever you enter any house, first say, "Peace be with this house." At the outset of Paul's epistle he prays, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It shows how precious grace and peace are.
God sacrificed his only begotten Son for reconciliation with us. Abraham gave up all his possessions and all his privileges. Jesus said that the peacemakers are the children of God (Matthew 5:9), and the writer of Hebrews said of Jesus, “King of righteousness and King of Salem, that is, King of peace” (Hebrews 7:2).
Some writers describe the influence of Jesus in this way: “Even though 2000 years have passed, Jesus is still the central pillar of mankind and the leader of the progressive ranks. All the armies that have advanced so far, all the navy that have been organized, all the parliaments that have been opened, and all the kings who have ruled. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he has not had a more powerful influence on the human race on earth than the solitary life of Jesus of Nazareth.”
The work of reconciliation took place wherever Jesus Christ entered. The barriers of Gentiles and Jews have been broken down, the barriers of masters and servants have been broken, the barriers of children and adults have been broken down, and the barriers of men and women have been broken down. But most importantly, the barriers between me and myself were broken. Because you love yourself, you will not feel inferior or alienated, there will be no loneliness, there will be no loneliness, you will love your neighbor, and you will love nature. May there be peace wherever you are. I hope that your family will be a harmonious family even if it is poor. I hope that you will pay a great price for this reconciliation. I hope that you will become a harmonious family with Jesus. I hope you are at peace with your neighbors. Do you have someone in you who needs to restore a broken relationship? Don't delay and get started. These seven steps are simple but not easy. It takes a lot of effort to restore a relationship. If we work for peace, we are doing what God will do. That is why God calls those who strive for peace as His children.
Day 20 / About the purpose of my life
Points to think about: Relationships are always worth restoring.
Memorable Words: “As far as possible, be at peace with all men” (Romans 12:18).
Questions that leave life:
1. Do you prioritize problem solving? Is restoration of the relationship a priority?
2.
Among the seven ways to restore relationships, which one should you put the most effort into?
3. Who do I need to restore broken relationships with today?
“The peacemakers will be called the sons of God.” - Matthew 5:9-