Conflict Resolution
Wouldn't it be nice if we could resolve all our differences without conflict?
"You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. - Matthew 5:21-26
Sometimes we screw up.
We may start out thinking we can get along with everyone and live in peace, but something goes awry and we find ourselves in a situation.
We say or do something that we regret, and then we convince ourselves that we were totally justified in doing what we did.
We need that justification or we wouldn't be able to move on. That's what we tell ourselves, but in truth, we haven't moved on. It still haunts us.
There is only one way to truly let it go.
We need to reconcile.
Jesus advises us to unload our burdens, to stop carrying around the guilt and the disappointment of having messed up, and work it out with the person or people with whom we are in conflict.
It's good advice. Tough advice, yes, but good. We don't need the added burden.
Jesus appeals to our interests, telling us it is better for us if we work out our differences and conflicts ourselves, rather than putting ourselves in the hands of the courts or other judges, like God.
Why bring our burdens before God if we can make them go away on our own?
Imagine if we did that with everything?
Lawyers would have nothing to do.
More to come...