This week I found out that two people who had not spoken in almost ten years, mended their relationship. I’ve been praying for restoration since their grievance, because both are dear to me. I was so excited to hear they had renewed their friendship, but think how much more excited God is! God wants us to be in union with each other, without arguing or belittling. Those who carry past grievances, real or perceived cannot live in peace when they carry grudges. Many times they each tried to complain about the other and I wouldn’t give ear to their complaints. I told them I didn’t want to hear either one. A grievance is what someone holds onto and complains about. Both parties must be willing to lay aside their issues for any healing to occur and thankfully in this incident, they did.
Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:14-15
When the offense is minor or a one-time event, we should overlook the behavior; but those who continually slander or verbally attack us should not be allowed to continue in their behavior. If they cannot be peaceable, we must distance ourselves from their destructive behavior. When Jesus’ is truly a part of a person’s life, they should be able to reconcile their differences. If you are right with God and someone continues to carry resentment towards you, walk away. Allow the Holy Spirit to heal the relationship.
“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” – Jesus (John 14:17)
The only way to walk in the peace of God is to accept Jesus into your life as your savior and allow him to guide you into all truth. We must be open to correction and not live a life full of deceit. When we live in close relationship with Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, Jesus’ blood covers all sin.
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7
Prayer: Father I thank you for restored relationships, both with you and each other. I thank you for working on the hearts of those who carry ill will, rancor, or resentment towards others, related or not. I thank you that you are the restorer and healer, and that you sent Jesus to die on the cross and gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us daily as long as we submit. Amen
Katie Storme 