Conflict Resolution

Actively engaging the process of resolving conflict is required of God’s people. As we follow through the resolution process, we continue conforming into the image of Christ. Disunity in the Church is sin. It corrupts God’s design, and retards the work of the Holy Spirit. We all make mistakes, and then later regret the offense we caused. However, merely regretting those sins is not enough. We have to change, and work at resolving the problem we caused. Leaving offense unattended under the presumption that God should solve it for us shows spiritual laziness. We have a responsibility to learn how to govern as God governs. We cannot be unified with God while divided from our brother. The means to reconciliation of our brethren is seeking God’s wisdom, yielding to the Holy Spirit, and then laboring together in humility.

Keywords:
James 4:1-11 – Conflict resolution – Disunity – Judging one another – Matthew 18:15 – going to one’s brother – Matthew 5 – blessed are the peace makers – governance – offense – disfellowship – reconciliation – Paul and Barnabas