TOPIC: PEACE-MAKING PROCEDURE
Read Matthew 18:15-20
MEMORISE: Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)
EXPOSITION
Generally, the world lacks peace, though today is set aside to commemorate international Day of Peace, the world has rejected the Prince of Peace. There is virtually no country without its own fair share of conflict, acrimony and crisis. Unfortunately, the church is affected too. God is not the author of these. Satan is the one masterminding the religious, economic, social and political tumults everywhere around the world. Nevertheless, as believers in Christ, we are expected to follow peace with all men.
Peacekeeping requires conscious effort. Do all you can to be a peace maker. Jesus has given us some steps to follow for conflict resolution among brethren:
1. Getting the offender to know: Jesus Christ requires that the person who has offended you be made to know his/her offence. This you should do between two of you alone. Don’t bring in any third party yet.
2. If the person fails to see reasons he/she should apologise, then involve a third party who should be spiritual and scriptural in their approaches in order not to aggravate the issue.
3. Should the situation persist, the church councll should intervene. The church leaders should use godly wisdom in resolving the matter. Like the early church leaders nipped a teething problem in the bud (Acts 6:1ff), leaders must not fold their arms and watch abnormalities thriving.
Having exhausted the aforementioned with sincerity and transparency, if the individual still remains obstinate, you are left with no option than to be praying for the non-bulging offender as you would do to an infidel. Don’t neglect him/her, especially in prayers, even if the person remains unyielding. That is practical Christianity. It is not fire for fire in this case; it is water for fire! Fire cannot quench fire. May God assist us.
PRAYER POINTS
1. O Lord, make me a person of peace in all my conversations.
2. I refuse to be a stumbling block and source of trouble in any situation, in Jesus’ name.
3. Lord, restore Your peace among us in our churches and nation.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Proverbs 11:31 – 14:9; 2 Corinthians 7:15 – 8:20
Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!