A Scriptural-Spiritual Lens for Resolve in 2022 - Part Six

Introduction

For all those who have trusted in Christ alone for their salvation, the following are realities for you:

Romans 8:1 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:14–16 ESV

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

We must understand and experience that being made right with God through Jesus Christ change everything and it is the lens through which we must view all of life.

Colossians 3:12–17 ESV

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

PRAY

We saw last week that there are several articles of clothing that the new man is to put on. We are to wear compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

How do we know when we have put these clothes on? It shows up in how we treat others, especially those we are around most. The true beauty of true Christianity is it transforms how we act in all of life and especially difficult situations.

In other words, the newness of the new man has everything to do with how you function in your home and family, work and school, and especially the local church.This letter’s first realm of application is the church at Colosse. Paul desired to see this church act in ways that were counter-cultural and in opposition to the old man (Remember verse 3:11). He longed for attitudes and actions that were from the heart sincere and in action demonstrated. He would be opposed to thinking laid out in the following line of poetry.

To live above with the saints we love, Oh, that will be glory. But to live below with the saints we know, Well, that’s another story.

Here’s how God wants us to conduct ourselves as the body of Christ.

Members of the new man endure the challenges of difference

Bearing with one another and,

What does it mean to bear with? This phrase has to do with our general disposition towards the body of Christ. It is exercising self-restraint and tolerance toward each other. It is patiently enduring the weakness and sinfulness of other. We are to put up with one another.

When and how often do we bear with one another? This is no one time activity. The tense is present and necessitates a constant activity. The need for forbearance is steady and ongoing. Therefore, each one of us should be described as one who patiently endures the weaknesses of others and the realities of diversity and differences.

However, there is a danger. As I talked about the need for bearing with one another, you probably thought of someone you are easily irritated by and how you need to be forbearing. That is true, but you should have also thought of yourself. The reality is the need for patient endurance is mutual and reciprocal. Just as must as you need to be forbearing, someone has the need to bear with you. That is why Paul writes bearing with one another.

J.C. Ryle says, “Our Lord has many weak children in his family, many dull pupils in his school, many raw soldiers in his army, many lame sheep in his flock. Yet he bears with them all, and casts none away. Happy is that Christian who has learned to do likewise with his brethren.”

Romans 15:1–3 ESV

1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

Members of the new man should restore broken relationships

If one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other;

The Apostle continues with instructions about when sin breaks fellowship between believers. He knew that in the time there would be occasions in which problems would arise in the body among individuals.

A complaint is a cause for blame, a grievance. This is not a difference in personal preference or opinion. This is sin or transgression against a person.

What is a Christian to do when someone sins against them? Forgive - forgiving each other

Once again, this is in present tense which implies this could be an activity the Christian could do many times in life. It is also mutual and reciprocal (each other). This communicates we will be on both sides of the problem. We will be sinned against by others and we will sin against others.

In any case, this is a command that should be obeyed. We, as participants of the new man should be those that are quick to restore relationships and reconcile with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We cannot allow our pride, arrogance and emotions to dictate how we respond when someone sins against us.

Jerry Bridges has good advice, “We must take the initiative to restore peace. Jesus taught that it makes no difference whether you have wronged your brother or he has wronged you. Either way, you are always responsible to initiate efforts toward peace. If we are serious about intently pursuing peace, we won’t be concerned about which of us is the offending party. We will have one goal: To restore peace in a godly manner. Unresolved conflict between believers is sin and must be treated as such; otherwise, it will spread throughout the body like cancer until it requires radical spiritual surgery.

Matthew 18:21–22 ESV

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

What shall be our reference point when we are in conflict with one another?

Members of the new man remember their Savior’s actions

As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Our reference point is the Lord Jesus Christ and his dealings with us. If we do not consider him, we will not be motivated to forgive. Unless we consider his merciful dealings with us, we will be full of pride and arrogance. There’s just something about Jesus that can melt the hardness of heart and move us to reconcile with our brother or sister.

Ephesians 1:7–8 ESV

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

1 John 1:9 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Who is Jesus? Who are you? How much have you sinned against him? Who sought to reconcile the relationship first? How much did he forgive you of when you repented? Did he hold anything against you? Does he keep you at a distance? Does he treat as second class when you still sin? How often does he forgive you when you sin? Now compare that to anything that anyone might do to you.

1 Peter 2:21–23 ESV

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Practical Application

Don’t be naïve. There could easily be broken relationships in the future between people in this room, if we do not realize our need for humility and preparation on how to deal with problems and disagreements when they arise.

1 Corinthians 10:12–13 ESV

12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

This verse does not teach us to wink at sin in lives of our brothers and sisters, but it teaches us to be proactive and persistent in the pursuit of reconciliation. We should be like Christ and choose to talk about the breach and sin. We should be ready to forgive and move forward when the forgiveness is sought. We should also be quick repenters.

Luke 17:3–6 ESV

3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

It is not enough to say we have forgiven someone if we have not pursued the offending party, the relationship has not been restored and reconciliation has not occurred. A forgiving heart always has for its goal restored fellowship

Romans 2:4 ESV

4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

A single attempt at reconciliation does not fulfill our responsibilities in the body

Ephesians 4:3 ESV

3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

If you have not been forgiven by Christ, you have no way to truly forgive others. You will live constantly in strained, broken relationships with no view to peace in life. I urge you to seek the forgiveness of Christ. He is merciful. Call on him now to forgive all you sin.

We are going to have a moment of silence and during this time I encourage you to ask the Lord if there are any people you need to make things right with. If someone comes to mind, commit to the Lord to pursue restoration immediately. In addition, if you need to talk with someone about salvation or how to pursue reconciliation, I am available anytime.