Lord, help me. Why do we start here? What do we need help with? Well, frankly we start here because there is no other starting point worth our consideration. As far as what we need help with, that is also clear, we need help with everything. Not absent from this list is reconciling with one another. If we are going to have sanctifying relationships, we must seek to be peacemakers, for that is what the Lord desires in our lives. Restraining our efforts to accomplish this task is the contrasting natural tendency of man to avoid doing what is necessary to foster reconciliation. The Apostle Paul conveys to the church in Colossae these necessary traits that must be exhibited in their lives in order for us to live peaceably with one another. Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience . See, the fact that Paul has to encourage the putting on of these traits is the evidence that they are contrary to the unconverted life. As new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), God’s children are to pursue implementing the qualities and traits in their lives that were exemplified perfectly in our Lord Jesus Christ.
In our lives, yes even in the lives of redeemed, forgiven, faithful followers of Christ, we struggle to get along with others as we ought to. Sometimes we just don’t “mesh” very well with certain people. More often than we care to admit, we are not as compassionate, kind, humble, meek, or patient as we should be. In relationships there are misunderstandings, unrealistic expectations, selfishness, irritability, miscalculated words, emotionally charged responses, oftentimes coming from both sides. May I direct your attention back to the opening three words? Why? Because our best, sole effort will never produce a God glorifying outcome. To act unnaturally, to conduct ourselves in a way that is holy and pleasing to God, must be achieved by the power of the Spirit of God. Pray that God would work in your life to help you be more caring, more considerate, more understanding, a better listener, and less selfish, less moody, and not so easily offended by others. Remember, the Lord desires that you honor Him through your sanctifying relationships (1 Corinthians 10:31).
By definition, the word reconcile is to restore, particularly in the relational sense. If something needs to be restored, that means it has been damaged or separated. If the traits of Colossians 3:12 are not being exercised in your life, opportunities for restoration and reconciliation will be plentiful. When a relationship is fractured or damaged, we must be quick to forgive, quick to admit wrong, and diligently seek restoration (James 5:16). God made us to be relational people, but ironically, we get in the way of the success of those relationships. Pride, selfishness and stubbornness must be prayed against while humility, restraint, and tolerance must be prayed for. We show great love for one another when we consider others’ needs before our own. May we honor God in our sanctifying relationships, always seeking to restore that which has been severed. And may our great motivation be a rich love for God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ His Son. He has changed our hearts from within, He has given us the desire to honor Him, He has set eternity within our hearts, He has called us His own……..now let’s act like it. Lord, help us.
By His Grace And For His Glory,
Pastor Sam
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