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Are You Committed to Making Peace with Others?

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A Commitment to Peacemaking

Introduction

Gospel-Centered Ministry

Step 1: Understand the Problem – Observation and Identification of the Problem (PROBLEM)

1. Relationships should be of the highest priority in our lives. Everyone needs somebody.

2. Broken relationships are distracting. Broken relationships are destructive. Broken relationships distort the message of the gospel. Broken relationships restrict our liberty.

3. Broken relationships can be restored. Broken relationships must be restored. There is no alternative to reconciliation

4. We tend to:

  • Protect ourselves
  • Promote ourselves
  • Punish others

5. Healthy relationships have certain definable characteristics.

6. What the world calls..the Bible calls

7. The Damage of Bitterness

  • Wounded spirit
  • Bitterness
  • Anger
  • Stubbornness
  • Rebellion

Step 2: Biblical Hope – Biblical Instruction and Encouragement (PROMISE)

  • Conflicts with others, self, and God
  • Ministry of reconciliation
  • Displaying grace
  • Speaking the truth in love

Step 3: Biblical Change – Practical Helps for Today (PROCESS)

Commitment to peacemaking and reconciliation (adapted from Peacemaker Ministries)

Personal Peacemaking Strategies

1. Whenever we are faced with conflict, our primary goal will be to glorify God with our thoughts, words, and actions

2. We will try to get the “logs” out of our own eyes before focusing on what others may have done wrong

3. We will seek to overlook minor offenses

4. We will seek to refrain from all gossip, backbiting, and slander. If we have a problem with others, we intend to talk to them, not about them.

5. We will endeavor to make charitable judgments toward one another by believing the best about each other until we have facts that prove otherwise

6. If an offense is too serious to overlook, or if we think someone may have something against us, we will seek reconciliation without delay

7. When we offer a word of correction to others, we will do so graciously and gently, with the goal of serving and restoring them, rather than beating them down

8. When someone tries to correct us, we will ask God to help us resist prideful defensiveness and to welcome correction with humility

9. As we seek to resolve differences with others, we will look out for their concerns and interests as well as our own

10. When others repent, we will ask God to give us the grace to forgive them freely and fully as He has forgiven us so that we might glorify His reconciling grace

Bringing it Home

Handling Problems Constructively:

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