Conflict is a fact of life in our sinful world. Find out how to resolve it.
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Read previous DIG DEEPER posts on 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 13 Summary
As we finish this letter, it's good to once again be reminded what occasioned it. As an apostle of Jesus Christ, Paul has been given both the authority and the responsibility to see to it that Christ's Church turns away from sin.
In love, Paul wrote this letter so that further discipline is no longer needed. Paul goes on in v10 to state that his disciplinary authority (an authority also given to the elders of the church) is meant for building you up, not tearing you down.
Dig Deeper
Arguments, disagreement and strife are facts of life in our fallen world, even between solid Christians. When (not if) discord strikes, the easy thing to do is just walk away from what may seem to be a hopeless situation.
But this chapter gives the Biblical model for handling these situations in v11:
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
1) REJOICE
Step one in bringing people back together seems out of place. It seems like rejoicing should come if and when the problem's been fixed, not before. But Paul has just reminded us a few verses earlier that we can have great confidence, even coming into trials, because we've passed the test in Christ. Therefore we can rejoice in hope even as we face difficulties.
2) AIM FOR RESTORATION
If you aim for something less, you'll probably hit the easier, but less desirable target.
3) COMFORT ONE ANOTHER
Listen and observe how your actions injured the other person, then bring the necessary comfort and encouragement to heal the wound.
4) AGREE WITH ONE ANOTHER
It's amazing how much common ground even the most diametrically opposed people have. Finding the areas of agreement often helps identify solutions in areas of disagreement.
5) LIVE IN PEACE
This doesn't mean to passively ignore or gloss over problems, but to actively share the grace, love and fellowship our Triune God has shown you (v14).
When you endeavor to do these things, it's not guaranteed that all your conflicts will disappear, but you can be certain that the God of all love and peace will be with you no matter what.
AAA Prayer:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our God is the One who appeared weak on earth, but remains all powerful, reigning over all things.
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask God to enable you to 'rejoice and to strive for full restoration, to encourage one another, to be of one mind, and to live in peace.'
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
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