Christmas is right around the corner. While it’s a beautiful season of joy and celebration, it is also a season that can highlight brokenness in our relationships with our family and friends.
Here is what Jesus says in Matthew 5:21-24:
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."
As followers of Jesus, we are called to love each other deeply, passionately, as if our life depended on it, because love covers over a multitude of sins. As Christians, we need to be the kind of people who are quick to apologize and quick to forgive. This is what should distinguish how we love one another as opposed to how the world loves.
As we get ready to launch Vineyard Columbus Grandview on January 23, 2022, we desperately need to remember these words of Jesus. When a group of people are trying to do life together, it is only a matter of time before we get on each other’s nerves. It is only a matter of time before we hurt each other with our words and our actions. There will be misunderstandings. We are going to say and do things that will hurt other people. Sometimes unintentionally, but sometimes not. So, in this way, we are absolutely no different than the world. But what should set us apart is how we reconcile. Doing life well together as a church family, we must be quick to apologize, quick to forgive, and quick to be reconciled.
Do you need to apologize to somebody? Do you need to forgive somebody? Next week we are going to celebrate Christmas, and just a few days after that, 2022 will be here. It is my hope and prayer for us that we would usher in the New Year as a reconciled church family. So let me challenge you, if you have someone you need to apologize to, or if you have someone you need to forgive, take the opportunity to do just that in this season. Start praying now and ask God for this grace. Pray and ask God for the gift of reconciliation in your family and in your friendships!
“Delightfully loved ones, if God loved us with such tremendous love, then 'loving one another' should be our way of life!”
- 1 John 4:11 (TPT)
