Tag: Reconciliation

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Bonfires

Daily Reading

Ephesians 4-6

Daily Thought

You should not put out a beach bonfire by shoveling sand on the flames. Sand locks in the heat and the smoldering coals get hotter and hotter. I learned this the hard way when I stepped on a hot spot and scorched my bare foot, and there is a picture of bitterness. Paul says, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31), each word inflicting more damage. Bitterness is buried hurt, a wrath waiting to ignite. The burst of anger seems to come out of nowhere, but it was laying in wait just under the skin. Left unchecked comes clamor, a loud attack of anger. I want to hurt you, physically if necessary. Then slander, I want to hurt you deeper, emotionally. We’ve heard, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” The guy who made up that little ditty was an idiot. I know I’m not supposed to say idiot, but apparently words don’t bother him. Meanwhile, for the rest of us, words do the greater damage. Lastly comes malice–I just want to hurt you. Period.

The point: stop it early. “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26). Do not bury bitterness. It does not smother, it smolders. Deal with it. Today.

Paul tells us to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), and Jesus describes what that might look like, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother” (Matthew 18:15). You and your brother (or sister) are not actually alone, however, because Jesus reminds you, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). These are the times when we need Jesus most. Thank You for being there, Jesus.

Daily Prayer

My Father, let no corrupting talk come out of my mouth, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Help me be one who imitates You, who is ready to forgive, as You forgave me, who is tenderhearted, who seeks unity. May I walk in love, may I look like You.

Amen

Daily Question

How can you tell if you’re losing control of your anger?

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Where Two or Three Are Gathered Together

Daily Reading

Matthew 18-19

Daily Thought

When Christians gather in small groups for a Bible Study, someone often quotes Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). Jesus is with us! 

Well, of course, but isn’t he with you when you are alone? Yes. So, what makes this verse special? Keep reading…

What follows is Peter asking how many times he should forgive his brother, suggesting seven, and Jesus replying, “not seven, but seventy-seven” (Matthew 18:22). Jesus then tells a story of a gracious king who forgave the extravagant debt of a servant, yet the servant was ungraciously unwilling to forgive another man of a meager amount. Because of the servant’s greed, the king rescinded his grace and cast the wicked fool into prison. God is the king, and the selfish servant could be us, and the lesson is, “so also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart” (Matthew 18:35).

Earlier, Jesus explained how to forgive. “If your brother sins against you” (Matthew 18:15), go to him and seek reconciliation. If that does not work, take someone with you. If that does not work, take it to the church. Keep trying. 

Now we are back to that cherished verse, right in the middle, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20), but with a better idea of what it means. Jesus is so interested in the good relationships of his children, in reconciliation and forgiveness and love, that when two or three of us get together to work out an offense, Jesus says, “I am with you. I am here to help. I am all about this!”

Daily Prayer

Father in Heaven, forgive me my sins as I forgive others theirs. That is a dangerous thing to pray because I am not very good at forgiving. But You are teaching me. I know I have sinned against You. A lot. You not only have forgiven me, You paid the penalty for my sins. The more I understand Your love, Your grace, Your mercy, the better I share it with others.

Thank You, Jesus. For dying on the cross to free me, not only of the penalty of my own sins, but of the ugliness of bitterness I carry against the sins of others.

Amen

Daily Question

What are the main reasons you might have trouble reconciling with someone who has hurt you?