Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Arguments as brothers and sisters in Christ

It may comes as a surprise to you that sometimes Christians don’t get along with one another. While I wish this wasn’t the case, the fact is sometimes there are misunderstandings and differences of opinions.
The question we must answer is this “When Christians have a disagreement, how should it be handled?” Most of the time our instinct is to hold our ground, but is that the best way? What about the idea of immediately folding and giving in to the other person, is that the best way? Whose responsibility is it to take the first step?
The bible clearly teaches that it is the responsibility of both parties to take the first step. Matthew 5:23-24 “ Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” The responsibility to settle disagreements or problems between brothers and sisters in Christ is placed on all parties involved.
God desires us to live in peace with one another. Consider what is written in Mark 9:50 “Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." We are not to be a people who allow disagreements and infighting ruin our relationships with each other. If problems are ignored or encouraged to continue it brings great trouble on the church as a whole. We are to live as a people of unity not of division.
In Matthew 12, the Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus by saying that the healings he was doing were by the power of Beelzebub. His response to them is found in Matthew 12:25 when He said "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.”
The same is true for the church today, we must have unity when facing adversity of all kinds. So when bumps in the road come, may we do our best to follow the instructions given to us by our Lord.

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