Resolve

Resolve

If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.

A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE was heartbroken. A few families in her church were having a dispute over words that had allegedly been spoken. Instead of handling the concerns with the person involved, they chose to go behind their back, involving several other families, until it was unclear any more what had actually been said and what had not.

My friend had many interactions with people from the church who wanted to pull her into the middle of it all, but she chose to stay out of it, encouraging the people involved to speak with the person who’d offended them, along with their pastor. They refused, instead choosing to leave the church and creating animosity in their wake while never resolving the situation with the other party or seeking to find a solution.

My friend was frustrated over the lack of resolution, especially since everyone involved was a Christian and had been a part of their church for many years. She was heartbroken to see the rift in relationships this offense had caused. I prayed with her, asking God to give her peace and wisdom in a way to move forward, with or without any resolution.

There are times when conflict comes and a solution between the parties involved follows, but what do you do when people are unwilling to try to resolve an offense? We do not have control over others’ thoughts or actions, only our own, which can make resolving an issue difficult at times. As Christians, we are to go to one another with our grievances and attempt to be reconciled. Even if it wouldn’t be healthy to continue a relationship with another person, we can still work to resolve any offenses between us. That will show our maturity as believers and our love for one another.

Lord, give us the courage to honestly and lovingly confront offenses when they occur. May we have ears to listen and wisdom to know what to say. Amen.

-Kendra

One Good Step: Do you have an offense against someone? Today, pray and ask God to show you one way you can move toward addressing the concern and toward a resolution.