DCLM Higher Everyday 21 October 2023 — Resolving Rifts
Topic: Resolving Rifts
Text: Ephesians 4:29-32
30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Key Verse: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).
Message
A Rift is described as serious disagreement that disrupts good relations. Harriet B. Braiker insists that, “Conflict can and should be handled constructively; when it is, relationships benefit. Conflict avoidance is ‘not’ the hallmark of a good relationship. On the contrary, it is a symptom of serious problems and of poor communication.” Conflict can arise everywhere and anywhere because all of us have our own interests, personalities, thought processes and reactions. As believers, it is wise to question the situation, analyze and resolve the problem with prayer, God’s Word and Spirit guidance rather than letting it linger.
We can resolve conflicts by accommodating, collaborating, and making compromises. Our memory verse states that in times of rift, we need to forgive one another. We need to be kind and tenderhearted as disagreements are not resolved if each of the contending parties remains bitter and unforgiving. If you are a mediator, listen actively with empathy and avoid partiality, so that the outcome would be adjudged to be fair and just by all. Christians should endeavour to “… live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).
Quote: We need to forgive one another
Challenge: Let conflict not rob you of your faith.
Prayer for today: Holy Father, help me to peacefully settle all my rifts with others.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
