We are discussing, in the fellowship, what it means to be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19). And what this and our imperfections mean for the fellowship, is that we need to be kind and compassionate one to another, forgiving one another just as Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32).
It would be easier, if we were all fully mature, and were less wounded. I have often used the illustration that if you have a sore thumb, and somebody brushes up against it, your reaction is likely to be stronger than if it was not sore. But we are admonished to go out of our way to foster and maintain the unity, the shalom peace of our relationships (Ephesians 4:1-3). But whose responsibility is it to sort it out? Well, Jesus tells us in the Scripture at the head of this post that if somebody has something against you, you need to go and be reconciled (Matthew 5:23), but He also tells us in Matthew 18:15, that if it’s the other person’s fault then we also need to go. So in either case you and I need to be the initiator in reconciliation.
Father, this can get really messy, because in our woundedness we blame others when it’s our fault, and we get blamed when is the other person’s fault. And I for one can easily overreact! In trying to sort this out we often need peacemakers, but then they can get sat on from both sides. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt! No wonder You say Blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). Thank you Lord that You have promised to be present and to give us Your grace when we come together in You in humility. And I give You all the honour and all the glory and all the praise again this morning in Jesus Name Amen
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