2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV
When you want to repair a relationship that’s been damaged by conflict, you have to focus on reconciliation, not resolution. And there’s a big difference between the two.
When you want to repair a relationship that’s been damaged by conflict, you have to focus on reconciliation, not resolution. And there’s a big difference between the two.
Reconciliation means reestablishing the relationship. It doesn’t mean you’ll remarry your ex; it just means you’re at peace with each other.
Resolution means you resolve every disagreement—and that just isn’t going to happen. The truth is, there are some things in your marriage, your friendships, and your work relationships that you’re just never going to agree on—because we’re all different. But you can disagree without being disagreeable. That’s called maturity. That’s called wisdom. That’s called being like Christ.
We can have unity without uniformity. We can walk hand in hand together without seeing eye to eye. My wife, Kay, and I have been married for decades, and we don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things. But we walk hand in hand and support each other. We are at peace.
Here’s what I’ve learned from counseling married couples: If you focus on restoring your relationship, oftentimes the issues become insignificant. How many of your biggest arguments were over the smallest things? We fight about so many little things, but, in reality, the fights aren’t even about those things—they’re about bigger issues. Instead of trying to agree on every little issue, you need to get back to focusing on the relationship.
There’s a lot of conflict around us. Our world is filled with division, arguments, prejudice, racism, and partisanism. And as a result, we have broken relationships. We have broken economies, broken governments, broken marriages, broken lives, and broken hearts.
I challenge you as a believer to commit to becoming an agent of reconciliation in a world filled with conflict. Look for ways to bring people together rather than tear them apart.
Today's verses, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 in The Message, read, "All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them."
If you are a follower of Jesus, you have a ministry of reconciliation. It’s your job to go out in society and say, “God’s done everything to put you back in fellowship with him. He’s already paid for all your sins. You don’t have to be his enemy. He’s not mad at you. He’s mad about you.”
Be reconciled to God. Be at peace with God. Then spread that peace - His peace - to everybody else.
Resolution means you resolve every disagreement—and that just isn’t going to happen. The truth is, there are some things in your marriage, your friendships, and your work relationships that you’re just never going to agree on—because we’re all different. But you can disagree without being disagreeable. That’s called maturity. That’s called wisdom. That’s called being like Christ.
We can have unity without uniformity. We can walk hand in hand together without seeing eye to eye. My wife, Kay, and I have been married for decades, and we don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things. But we walk hand in hand and support each other. We are at peace.
Here’s what I’ve learned from counseling married couples: If you focus on restoring your relationship, oftentimes the issues become insignificant. How many of your biggest arguments were over the smallest things? We fight about so many little things, but, in reality, the fights aren’t even about those things—they’re about bigger issues. Instead of trying to agree on every little issue, you need to get back to focusing on the relationship.
There’s a lot of conflict around us. Our world is filled with division, arguments, prejudice, racism, and partisanism. And as a result, we have broken relationships. We have broken economies, broken governments, broken marriages, broken lives, and broken hearts.
I challenge you as a believer to commit to becoming an agent of reconciliation in a world filled with conflict. Look for ways to bring people together rather than tear them apart.
Today's verses, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 in The Message, read, "All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them."
If you are a follower of Jesus, you have a ministry of reconciliation. It’s your job to go out in society and say, “God’s done everything to put you back in fellowship with him. He’s already paid for all your sins. You don’t have to be his enemy. He’s not mad at you. He’s mad about you.”
Be reconciled to God. Be at peace with God. Then spread that peace - His peace - to everybody else.
Talk It Over
What is an area of disagreement in one of your relationships that you have not been able to resolve?
What steps can you take to focus more on reconciling that relationship instead of attempting to resolve the issue?
How can you work to become an agent of reconciliation right where you are in your family, work, and community?
- by Pastor Rick
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Prayer:
Father,
You are the healer of broken hearts and the restorer of peace. Where there has been hurt, bring understanding. Where there has been distance, draw us closer. Soften our words, open our ears, and guide our steps toward one another. Help us to see through eyes of compassion, to speak with gentleness, and to forgive as freely as You forgive us. Let pride give way to humility, and bitterness to grace. May Your love be the bridge that reconnects us, and Your peace the foundation on which we rebuild. With You, we seek healing, and in Your strength, we choose to love again. Help us, O God; in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
