Reconciliation means the restoration of a broken relationship. It first requires sincere forgiveness for the person who has hurt you. Then, if possible to be truly reconciled, you go to that person and sincerely seek their forgiveness for your side of the broken relationship (even if your part is very small). Finally, reconciliation is complete when the relationship is restored. Our model for reconciliation is the standard Jesus set when He restored our relationship with God by dying for our sins on the Cross.
Proverbs 10:12; 14:33(a); 14:29-30(a)
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.”
“Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding.”
“He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly. A tranquil heart is life to the body.”
Q: According to these passage of scripture, describe a heart that is well prepared for reconciliation.
A heart that is full of love, understanding, patient and tranquil.
Psalm 103:8-12
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
Q: Is there any sin too big for you to reconcile with the Lord? What is one sin in your life that you feel is “too big”?
NO! The Lord covers ALL our sin. Example: “I feel like my impurity is a sin that is too big because I constantly keep returning to that sin.”
Picture
Matthew 5:23-24 – “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”
Q: What is this verse saying about restoring a broken relationship?
It is difficult to truly worship the Lord when there are unreconciled relationships in your life. You need to forgive so your heart is in the best place to honor Christ.
Q: How important is reconciliation to Jesus? Who is one person in your life that you need to seek reconciliation with? If you do not reconcile, how can this affect your faith?
It is imperative for Jesus. Example: “I need to seek reconciliation with my older brother.” If I cannot forgive him, it proves that I have little faith that the Lord is bigger! Broken relationships distract from being able to offer everything I have.
Matthew 18:15-17 – “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. 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.”
Q: Describe, in your own words, the steps of reconciling with a brother or sister of Christ.
(1) Reconcile one-to-one (2) If he/she doesn’t listen, then reconcile by bringing a second or third person with you (3) If that doesn’t work, then reconcile by bringing group of believers that both parties know. The personal relationship should end after those steps fail you, although you can still love that person in Christ.
Paul
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 – “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the world of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin oun our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Q: Are you a minister of reconciliation, or do you harbor bitterness and unforgiveness? Where does reconciliation come from?
Example: “At this point in my life, I am not a minister of reconciliation. I am holding on to unforgiveness and am bitter against my parents.” Reconciliation comes from a heart surrendered to God.
Peter
1 Peter 1:22-23 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.”
Q: What place does love have in the reconciliation process? How does obedience produce a more loving heart?
Love for God and for others is the central point of reconciliation. Obedience = learning to have the heart of God = a heart of love.
APPLICATION: How do these passages relate to me today? What changes do they bring to my life?
LOCKER ROOM: Is there anything this week that you have been enslaved to, and how we can help you?
