Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church
Howdo we handle conflict as Christians?
Do you remember the Smothers Brothers, a music and comedy team from the late 60's? Their most famous line that led to some light hearted comedy was when Tommie would say to Dickie, "Mom always liked you best!'. In Genesis 25 verses 19-28, we hear of a much more serious conflict between 2 brothers that resulted latgely from mom liking one brother more than the other.
Genesis 25:19-28 NIV
2 Corinthians 5:14-19 NIV
Mark 10:17-22 NIV
Genesis 27:41-44 NIV
Genesis 32:27-28 NIV
Genesis 33:4-5 NIV
It was a joyous reunion, but also sad. Esau didn't know his sisters-in-law or his nephews and niece. 20 years of unresolved conflict had stolen the time that the brothers could have been enjoying each others extended families. They had missed out on family get-togethers, marriages, births, getting to know their nephews and nieces and being part of their lives and celebrations as they grew up. Was it worth it?
Don't wait 20 years to resolve your family conflicts. But how do we do that?
How do we handle conflict as Christians?
1. Have an honest conversation and struggle with God.
2. Align your heart with God's
3. Listen for God;s direction and act on it.
4. Meet with your family member to work toward reconcilling the relationship.
5. Put the conflict behind you.
6. Do all this through Jesus
As Paul says in 2 Cor 5: 17-18, "God reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconcillation." If God can reconcile the conflict between Esau and Jacob, He can surely reconcile the conflict between you and your family member.