Statement:
God wants us to reconcile with our brothers and sisters, especially since he has done this for us! Reconciliation, in general, is part of the rebuilding process of a broken relationship.
(Matthew 18:15-17 ESV) 15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Hebrew / Greek Word Study
Focus Word: be reconciled = ּ(καταλλάγητε (katallagēte) = ( Greek / phonetic sound)
Strongs Definition G2644: to change, exchange, as coins for others of equal value; hence, to reconcile (those who are at variance)
to reconcile (those who are at variance)
return to favor with, be reconciled to one
to receive one in favor
The same Greek word (G2644) is also used in these scriptures
Romans 5:10
1 Corinthians 7:11
2 Corinthians 5:18
2 Corinthians 5:19
2 Corinthians 5:20
Scripture Thoughts:
Reconciliation is so important to God that He sent His only begotten Son (Jesus Christ) into the world to sacrifice Himself on our behalf (outlined in John 3:16-17). This is how much God loves us, even though we were active enemies against Him. Imagine that you have someone actively going against you, and you still are working to bring them back into a rightful relationship with you. (Romans 5:6-11 ESV) '6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.'
Each person on this Earth took part in killing Jesus! How? Because we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Therefore we all have a hand in His death. But God loved us so much that He put a plan to reconcile us back to Him in place in Genesis. Just like the Lord put a vertical plan of reconciliation in place for us to get right with Him, he also put a horizontal plan in place to reconcile the broken relationship we have here on Earth with our brethren.
The Three (3) Step Process Is Defined Below:
Step 1 - (Matthew 18:15 ESV) 'If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.'
The first step talks about how the hurt party needs to initiate the process of reconciliation. This seems odd, but this is exactly what God did for us. We are the ones who decided to sin and fall short of His glory. We willfully acted in disobedience and defied our Creator. Yet still, God loved us enough to come after us and put a plan of reconciliation in place.
Step 2 - (Matthew 18:16 ESV) 'But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.'
If the person you are trying to reconcile with is not amenable to the one-on-one solution, take one or two people you both believe will be fair toward both parties and discuss what happened and how to move forward together.
Step 3 - (Matthew 18:17 ESV) 'If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.'
The last and final step would be if step 2 does not work out, is to bring the person before the elders/pastor (s) of the church. If you are unable to reconcile after this takes place, you can separate from this person because they have refused to reconcile and restore the relationship.
My Thoughts:
A couple of things to note concerning this:
First and foremost, you do not have to reconcile a relationship to the status it once was, especially if a covenant or trust was broken.
(Adultery example: If the marriage vow is broken, you don't have to continue in your marriage Biblically)
Second, you only need to reconcile a relationship to the point where you do not have angst, anger, or resentment toward the person you are reconciling with.
Extra Scripture To Study:
Matthew Chapter 18
Matthew Chapter 6
Matthew 5:23-24
1 John 4:19-20
Additional Information:
Closing Thoughts:
These are a few great scriptures to study and meditate on. We gain more understanding of God and His Word when we seek to know Him better. As you study the Bible, look at how much God loves us and is willing to give everything to come after us. God wants us to have this similar type of love as we do our best to reconcile our broken relationships.
Challenge:
This week daily, take some time to pray and ask God for help regarding His word and become receptive to it. The next step is to act on His Word and continue to be the Son or Daughter He has called you to be.
Take Care Family,
Pastor Charles
©Copyright Charles R. Myles II 2022
Check Out The Book "Wounded Soul: Death Lived Inside Me" by Pastor Charles Myles
Also Available on Amazon.