Conflict cannot be resolved by ignoring it, it either solidifies the effect by lack of resolution or grows bitterness in someone's heart.
Pretending we have no need of working out problems, is the same as lying. Unresolved problems destroy relationships. Relationships grow stronger when two people discuss things, admit their part and ask forgiveness if they are guilty as well as forgiving if the other party is repentant.
Those who embrace the love of God want to resolve matters. It is only those who hold tight to pride and self will, who often hope the trouble will work itself out and dissipate over time. They count on acting differently to accomplish this aim without ever having to admit or change.
What these people fail to realize is that the longer an offense is ignored, the greater the chance the relationship will end. As long as there has been no admission of sin, there is always the doubt that nothing has changed and the same things will be repeated.
Confession and forgiveness is for the purpose of mending a broken relationships. Without both of these elements, there is no relationship, only superficial acquaintance without closeness is possible.
When we love God's way, and we know we have committed an offense, we are driven to admit it while seeking resolution to restore. When there is no confession there is no desire to be restored, only the need to be right for appearances sake.
Our walk with God is far deeper than appearances, we care about our spiritual integrity far more than how others will perceive us or fooling others into believing things about us.
James 5:16 "16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail."
There is no personal spiritual healing without confession and there is no healing of personal relationships without integrity, honesty and confession. Game playing and pretending within relationships are ruinous.
Those who love Christ love people also, with a drivenness to bless others rather than control them. There is no sense of control in the heart of one who Loves Christ and others.
John 13:34
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another.
1 John 3:13-15 "…13 So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.…"
What is the evidence that someone loves? They are not in competition with others, nor do they feel a need to appear superior. Manipulating and intimidating people is not in the heart of one who has the love of Christ dwelling in them.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
7 [a]bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away."
No comments:
Post a Comment