There was fellowship; there was friendship. But something went wrong. Feelings were hurt. Anger, even to the point of hatred, set in. Each person fades into the other person’s past. However, in church, each remains present in the other’s sight.

Doesn’t the thought usually occur that we are fooling ourselves when we fail to make an attempt to restore a broken relationship with a Christian brother or sister? Don’t we sense the violation of life as it should be as we go on as though nothing happened?

We may continue to be loving and kind towards others. We may think things are alright and have returned to normal for us, but in reality we are simply stumbling around. We aren’t seeing clearly.

The thought that we’re fooling ourselves is correct. To disavow that thought, or to let resentment towards another person replace that thought, is to put on blinders. We may think and feel that we’re moving in the right direction, but we are off course. The light we’re walking in is not light. It is darkness.

Serious conviction is called for. We must come to the end of ourselves, forsaking pride. We have to live by the precepts, the wisdom of God. We must submit to the character of Jesus within.

We must not think or care about gaining the “upper hand” over someone else. Our self-imposed right to not be offended must be relinquished in favor of loving one another. All we should want to do – all we need to do – is humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.

Peace-makers, we Christians are called to be. Attempts at reconciliation among the brethren are always pleasing to God’s eyes. And by living in that way, we’ll know for sure that we’re in the right light. It may not always work out, but it is the right thing to do.

xxx

Matthew 5: 23, 24 * 1 John 2: 9-11; 3: 18