CONFLICT AND RESOLUTION

Conflict can be very healthy if it is resolved in a Christ-centered way.


Look at 2 Corinthians chapters 12 and 13. The Apostle Paul is being quite confrontational with the church at Corinth. Yet, the conflict was resolved to such a degree that the Book of Romans, arguably the most epic of all Pauline letters, was written from there during Paul’s 3rd missionary journey.


CONFLICT IS INEVITABLE
I don’t know any ministry or marketplace leader who does not find themselves in conflict with fellow Christ-followers from time to time. It is not “if” but “when.” And when conflict does occur, we are told to resolve it, to the best of our ability, in a Biblical way.


Here is a biblical proof that conflict is inevitable:
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church, and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” - Matthew 18:15-17 NIV


BIBLICAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION
We should engage in conflict resolution. For example:

1. If we know a brother or sister in Christ has something against us: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” - Matthew 5:23-24 NIV
   
2. We should avoid getting angry: "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." - James 1:19-20 NIV
   
3. We need to speak the truth but in love: “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” - Ephesians 4:15 NIV
   
   
   

WE MUST STRIVE FOR UNITY
It is not easy, but we must continually strive for unity with our fellow Christ-followers.
"I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought." - 1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV


This verse underscores the importance of unity and agreement in the church.


RESOLUTION OF CONFLICT RESTORES UNITY
Christ-followers must stick together. As I recently read: “Embers in a fire die quickly if separated. If close together, they jointly preserve the heat. Christians in communion add strength to the congregation. The fire of the ember that goes on its own will quickly lose its heat.” - Pastor Grant C. Richison


WE MUST BE PATIENTLY PERSISTENT UNTIL UNITY IS RESTORED
When trying to resolve conflict and restore unity with a fellow Christ-follower, humility, gentleness, and patience are required in large doses.


"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." - Ephesians 4:2-3 NIV


This emphasizes the importance of maintaining unity through humility and patience.


CONCLUSION
For ministry and marketplace leaders, conflict with fellow Christ-followers is inevitable. Significant effort must be put into conflict resolution, for avoiding this is wrong and sinful behavior. Resolution of these conflicts is critical.


Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. 
November 27, 2023
POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ.