Interpersonal Problems (Part 1): Biblical Principles & Our Hope

Introduction

Learning to Love Our Neighbor

The great and foremost commandment is to love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all you mind, and with all your strength. The second great commandment is to love your neighbor as you already love yourself. The first statement may sound simple to do, but the reality of loving God with such intensity is directly linked to your loving others in a Biblical manner (based on Matthew 22:36-40; Mark 12:30-31; 1 John 2:10-11; 4:7-11, 20-21).

God’s View Concerning Interpersonal Problems

There are three major principles found God’s Word that we must consider and understand. They are listed in detail below.

Principle #1

If you do not love others, you do not love God (1 John 4:20-21). If you do not Biblically forgive others, you will not be forgiven by God (Matthew 6:14-15, 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26). Your forgiveness of others demonstrates your obedience to God’s Word (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13) and, thus, your love for the Lord (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3; 2 John 1:6). When you forgive others, you indicate your gratefulness to God for His gracious forgiveness of you through the Lord Jesus Christ (based on Matthew 18:21-25, esp. verses 32-33).

Principle #2

Do not judge others by your own standards, perspectives, or experiences (John 7:24; Romans 14:1-13; James 4:11-12). You will be judged in the very same way you judge others (Matthew 7:1-2; Luke 6:36-38).

Principle #3

Even when you are worshipping the Lord and remember that someone (spouse, brother, neighbor, co-worker, etc.) has something against you, you are to cease your worship, go and seek reconciliation, and then return to your worship (Matthew 5:23-24). You are commanded in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ to eliminate divisions among believers, since the unity of the body of Christ is from and in the Holy Spirit. Unity of mind and purpose should characterize believers (John 17:20-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10, 12:22-27; Philippians 2:1-2).

Our Hope Concerning Interpersonal Problems

God has enabled you to forgive others (based on Ephesians 4:32). You can love even your enemies (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-35). Both forgiveness and Biblical love are not dependent upon your feelings (based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Colossians 3:13) but upon an act of your will (John 14:15; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 John 3:18-24; 4:10-11, 21) as you respond to God’s love to you (1 John 4:19).