“If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.” (Matthew 18:15a)
Read Matthew 18:15–20.
We live in neighborhoods, work with, and have family members from diverse nationalities, languages and cultures. I’ve learned that unity isn’t always easy. Differences can easily lead to misunderstandings. Even good intentions can be interpreted differently, and if left unaddressed, small issues can gradually grow into distance.
At times, I feel tired: Too tired to explain, too tired to speak, and unwilling to enter another difficult conversation. At times, I also recognise that I may be the one who causes others to stumble, whether through my personality or the way I communicate. Because of this, I sometimes choose to avoid facing problems directly, afraid of damaging relationships or making things worse.
Yet silence doesn’t bring healing. In Matthew 18:15–20, Jesus teaches us to go to one another not to accuse, but to restore. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has already reconciled us to God. We’re called to seek reconciliation with one another. This requires honesty, humility and the courage to speak the truth in love, even when it feels uncomfortable.
When I begin to see those around me as family, my perspective changes. In a family, a father desires his children to talk to one another. Siblings may argue, but they don’t remain separated forever. They find their way back to each other. In the same way, we’re called to live as one family in Christ. Galatians 4:1-6 says, “… beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Often, our conflicts come from the same desire: That the work may move forward and that what we do may honor God. When we remember this, it becomes easier to return to one another, listen and seek understanding. Our differences of culture, language and personality are no longer barriers, but expressions of the beauty God has created in each of us.
Jesus also reminds us that He is present among us when we gather in His name. This means that He is with us not only in unity, but also in the process of restoring it.
Because Christ is already at work among us, unity is lived out through honesty and restoration. It calls us not to run away, but to move toward one another with grace. Even now, I’m still learning not to run away, but to stay, trusting God in the process and believing He can bring healing, restore relationships and draw us together as one family for His purpose.
Are you avoiding a conversation that could bring healing? How might Christ help you approach it with truth and love?
Prayer
Father, I thank You for Your gifts to me, especially the free gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus. Help me to reach out to others with grace, listening to them, and after reaching understanding, move forward to further Your kingdom.
Pray, praise, give thanks, and stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
