MONDAY, JUNE 5
1 Corinthians 6:7-8
Matthew 5:39-41

"…let him have
thy cloak also…"

CONFLICT RESOLUTION (I)

In 1 Corinthians 6:7-8, Paul gave instructions as to how the wise men may go about resolving the conflicts among brethren. Rather than just give a verdict, he was to serve as an arbitrator who sought to bring about brotherly understanding and reconciliation.

The golden principle in resolving conflicts is non-retaliation. This principle is taught by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 5:39-41, "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." When a person slaps another, he would usually slap a person on the left cheek (assuming that he is right-handed). Therefore, when the slap is on the right cheek, it would be a most humiliating backhanded slap. Nevertheless, despite such a humiliation, the Lord Jesus Christ teaches us to turn the other cheek. Herein is a teaching that the humble would endure and suffer wrong for the sake of Christ. He would rather let God judge and vindicate him than to take matters into his own hands. He knows that God is not blind and will ultimately vindicate the innocent. The Christian must seek to do good even to those who have done him wrong.

Besides enduring the wrong, the Christian must also learn to forgive his brother. "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Eph 4:32). "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness" (Col 3:13-14). Jesus forgave us while we were yet His enemies, should we not therefore forgive our brother who is a fellow member of the heavenly family of God?

THOUGHT: Seek reconciliation, not destruction.
PRAYER: Lord, forgive me my debts, as I forgive my debtors.