Pursuing Peace In Conflict

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Pursuing Peace In Conflict

• 1 Peter 38-12

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Why pursue peace?

• It impacts relationship with Lord.

Therefore if you are presenting your offering at
the altar, and there remember that your brother
has something against you, leave your offering
there before the altar and go first be
reconciled to your brother, and then come and
present your offering. - Matthew 52
3-24
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Why pursue peace?

• It impacts relationship with Lord.
• It impacts relationship with others.

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What is peace?

• Unity of mind, heart, will
• Within relationships

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How to preserve peace?

• Abandon equality.

If there is injury, then you shall appoint as a
penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for
tooth, hand for hand - Exodus 2123-25
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How to preserve peace?

• Abandon equality.
• Provide blessing.

Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not
curse Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.
- Romans 1214, 17
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Why provide blessing Instead?

• Relationship takes priority.
• So take initiative to restore!
• Silence is not initiated restoration
• Winning argument is not restorative

You can be strategically (or factually) right,
but relationally wrong.
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Why provide blessing Instead?

• Relationship takes priority.
• So take initiative to restore!
• Silence is not initiated restoration
• Winning argument is not restorative
• First to apologize Admit fault

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Why provide blessing Instead?

• Relationship takes priority.
• So take initiative to restore!
• So keep matter private!

Argue your case with your neighbor, and do not
reveal the secret of another, or he who hears it
will reproach you, and the evil report about you
will not pass away. - Proverbs 259-10
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Why provide blessing Instead?

• Relationship takes priority.
• So take initiative to restore!
• So keep matter private!

If your brother sins, go and show him his fault
in private if he listens to you, you have won
your brother. But if he does not listen to you,
take one or two more with you - Matthew
1815-16
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Why provide blessing Instead?

• Relationship takes priority.
• Retribution takes God (not you).

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave
room for the wrath of God, for it is written,
Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the
Lord. - Romans 1219
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Why provide blessing Instead?

• Relationship takes priority.
• Retribution takes God (not you).

But if your enemy is hungry, feed him. And if he
is thirsty, give him a drink for in so doing you
will heap burning coals on his head. -
Romans 1220
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