10 November, 2020
💞 Dear Royal Praying Priests, shalom!
💎 “And the fruit of righteousness is sown in shalom by those who make shalom.” (Jas 3:18, TLV)
Last week we learnt that we are all sowers and we reap with what we sow. Another spiritual principle is that we actually reap more than what we sow, especially when it is applied to our personal relations. When we sow seeds of shalom, we make shalom and we reap a harvest of goodness, kindness, love and unity!
As human beings, our natural response is to take offense, take revenge, hate those who persecute us, or try to avoid them in the midst of conflicts. Our mind keeps rewinding the bad memories and replaying those hurting words. Most times, if we allow Satan to sneak in, then the situation becomes much bigger and stronger in a negative, distorted and destructive way. However, there is a way to stop the downward spiral pattern because Yeshua calls us to be peacemakers.
Let us apply the 4Gs principle according to The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict written by Attorney Ken Sande to reconcile any broken relations.
- Glorify God
“Well, I’ll tell you why. It is because you must do everything for the glory of God, even your eating and drinking.” (1Co 10:31, TLV) Do not focus on what we want or what the other person may take to attack us. Ask God for His wisdom and keep asking ourselves, “How can I glorify God in this situation? How can I please God in the conflict? How can I reveal the redemption and transformation that Yeshua has done in my life, so the other person and all involving parties can also praise Yeshua together?”
- Get the Log out of Your Eye
“Hypocrite! First get rid of the board. Then you can see to help your brother.” (Mat 7:5, TLV) If we attack the other person, we will only receive more counterattacks. Focus on the problem, not the blame. Despite the person being 99% wrong, examine ourselves first and take the responsibility for our own 1% even if it was our poor and bad responses. If we need to ask forgiveness from someone we hurt, go and do it and make sure that we do every way we can to make up what we do wrongly.
- Gently Restore
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught doing something wrong, you who are directed by the Ruach (Spirit), restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness—looking closely at yourself so you are not tempted also.” (Gal 6:1, TLV) Do not pretend that nothing had happened or keep talking behind that person. According to Matthew 18:15-20, if the person does not see his mistakes, we have to go and communicate privately for the purpose of restoration instead of rebuking him. If he rejects our exhortations, then we invite respectful friends, spiritual leaders or those who can evaluate the situation objectively to go with us and gently restore the person. Make sure we listen to his pain and perspectives, and speak the truth in love and tactfully.
- Go and Be Reconciled
“Therefore if you are presenting your offering upon the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” (Mat 5:23-24, TLV) Take the initiative and make the first move to re-establish the relationship. When we are determined to be true peacemakers, we are willing to humble ourselves and pay the price. Forgive the other person seventy times seven, until there is no more bitterness or darkness caught in our hearts.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Mat 5:9, TLV)
🙏 Dear Heavenly Father, we admit that this world is filled with all kinds of conflicts including arguments, divisions, prejudices, tensions and wars. Today we are committed to peace-making and becoming true peacemakers in all we do. Renew us O Lord to glorify you in any personal relations and situations, and give us Your wisdom and strength to love one another. In the name of Yeshua we pray and bless You, Amen.