How is this done? (Cont.)
Handle personal concerns according to God’s good order — Wherever there are people, conflict will arise. It’s unrealistic to think otherwise. Fortunately, God has revealed a path that reconciles His people.
- If a fellow Christian has hurt us, talk to him or her only—Jesus teaches us in
Matthew 18:15-19, not to talk to others about it, but rather the person who offended us. Only after repeated attempts to solve the issue, just between the two of you, would it be time to involve others. - If you know that someone is upset with you, go speak to that person, (Matthew 5:23-24So 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.). The Bible teaches us to reconcile with others, to go to them to restore harmony. Further, we should do so quickly, “Do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger”). A rule of thumb is that delaying dealing with conflict makes it worse.