“Nothing tests your obedience to Christ like conflict.”
When I read that quote the Holy Spirit nailed me to the wall… painted me into a corner… and I took Job’s position as found in Job 40:5… (Paraphrased) “Well I’m putting my hand over my mouth and won’t say another word!” Obedience is only obedience when it is hard…
So I began reflecting on MY responsibility as found in Scripture should I ever find myself in the midst of conflict (Uh, when…). Here’s are a few passages I found (Not all of them). These are my target I’m asking God to help me with.
Matthew 18:21 Peter came up and said to (Jesus), “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”
Matthew 5:39 Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Romans 12:20 If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink… 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Galatians 6:1 If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
I don’t know about you, but were it not for the Holy Spirit there would be no hope for being the kind of person found in the Scripture. As it is, there will always be room for improvement.
So very true. Growing to be more like Christ is hard! Thank you for your help along the way.