02/19/22 CHURCH CONFLICTS MAY BE PERSONAL, THEY ARE NOT PRIVATE

02/19/22 CHURCH CONFLICTS MAY BE PERSONAL, THEY ARE NOT PRIVATE

FIRST... If you cannot address an issue with another believer, in the spirit of love, humility, grace, 0R if you cannot deal with another believer in the same way that you want to be dealt (or would have a loved one dealt with), then you should not deal with or address a problem until you are in a spiritual and Biblical position to confront another person, AND, you should not even allow negative thoughts about other people until you align with Biblical standards. Your first responsibility is to make your own relationship with God certain and examine your own spiritual condition before you attempt to confront anyone else.

SECOND... If you are confronted by another believer who is addressing a Biblical or spiritual flaw he sees in your life, then you should be able to receive it in humility, without any blame shifting to anyone. If what the other believer says is based on faulty information then that can be rectified easily by sincere believers.

THIRD... Brothers and sisters should be able to work out disagreements with each other without anger, suspicion or retaliation, and they should be able to do it without mom and dad having to get involved in every little issue. However, mom and dad will need to know about the confrontation. Sometimes differences are not (or should not be) confrontational, such as "was it a ball or a strike." To argue and be in conflict over somethings is simply immature and absurd. There are Biblical directives on how to deal with such conflict. Remember, these principles are applicable to local church disagreements and conflicts.

When the problem is more significant than a minor disagreement, then pastor needs to be involved immediately. I won't go into a teaching on church discipline at this point, since I am talking about minor and easily reconcilable problems. Of course, the lowest level issue is monumental when the parties are not thinking Biblically, lovingly and spiritually. The issue still needs to be resolved, but it takes on a vary serious tone when there is angst between church folks.

FOURTH... Jesus took extreme steps to reconcile us to God. Jesus took some steps we cannot take. But humility, self denial, suffering in order to reach others are steps that God expects from us.

This is why pastor should be involved (at varying levels) in church conflicts. God planned it this way. It is not optional. It is not up to the parties involved to change God's plan. It takes humility, self denial, love, honesty and active submission to keep peace between believers and peace in the church. Peace, love and unity between believers and peace in the church is essential. To sidestep God's directives is to show pride, rebellion, contempt, hypocrisy and active disobedience to the know will of God, the revelation of His word, faith in Christ's blood and agreement with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

To disobey God's directive is a declaration of self assertion and setting a path for others to follow, including children. Carnal, anti-Biblical behavior and disposition is anarchy against God. God as our heavenly Father, grieves over division between His children. It isn't that people don't know the will of God, concerning unity and submission, it is that they will not yield to the will, word and work of God in their own lives.