Seven Principles To Get Along With People:

In Philippians 4:2-3 we read about two Christian ladies who did not get along. In the work of the Lord, differences between people come up. Offenses will come and forgiveness must be swift and intentional. Forgiveness and reconciliation are a process. Living in unity takes God-filled people willing to set aside pettiness and childishness. Here are some Bible principles to help move in that direction:

1. The Bible commands us to forgive. "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).

2. Remember our Lord’s example on the cross as He died for our sins. 1 Peter 2:23 tells us: “Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” Give the situation to the Lord.

3. We must be liberal in our forgiveness. Luke 17:4: "And if he [your brother] sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, "I repent,' you shall forgive him."

4. Don’t keep a list in your mind of the things people do against you. The love of God shed abroad in our hearts “Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others” (1 Corinthians 13:5).

5. Psalm 141:3 is a great Bible prayer, “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Resist the urge to talk about a person or a situation with others. Proverbs 10:12 reads, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.”

6. Be a peacemaker not a peace-taker. Unforgiveness and bitterness disrupts your worship. Matthew 5:23-24 teaches us, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

7. Jesus teaches us to “love [our] enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44 - 45a).

Capital Baptist Fellowship preaches forgiveness and reconciliation through Christ’s death and resurrection, so we must be forgiving toward one another and practicing reconciliation among our members!

~Parish Hartley
September 25, 2011