Sunday, February 19, 2006

Reconciliation

If we do not love another follower of Jesus, God’s love in not in us.
Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. I John 4:20

If we do evil against another follower of Jesus, we are children of the devil.
The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters. I John 3:10

Anyone who does evil against others will not enter the kingdom of God.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication… enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-20

If we have caused a problem between us and another follower of Jesus, it is not right between us and God.
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

If we have wronged another follower of Jesus, we must make it right
Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Matthew 5:25

If we owe anyone anything, we should pay it off.
Pay to all what is due them… Owe no one anything, except to love one another. Romans 13:7,8

We need to forgive others of their debts and sins against us.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15

Judging Others

To judge someone is to separate yourself from or condemn one who has done wrong.
"I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons…" I Corinthians 5:9

If we judge others, we will be judged in the same way.
"With the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get." Matthew 7:2

Before we confront another with their sin, we must be clean before God.
"First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye." Matthew 7:5

We only determine that someone has done something wrong if there are witnesses
"All things must be determined by two or three witnesses." Matthew 18:16

We do not judge people unless they have sinned before God—little stuff doesn’t count.
"Why do you judge your brother? Why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God." Romans 14:10

Unless we are certain that someone has done something, we do not spread rumors about them.
"You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people." Leviticus 19:16

We always judge mercifully, giving as many chances as necessary.
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged" Luke 6:36, 37

We are never to judge those who do not claim to be God’s children.
"I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons-- not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world." I Corinthians 5:9-10

We must restore the relationship with those who have repented.
"If the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive." Luke 17:4

We must leave any vengeance up to God.
"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ " Romans 12:19

We must separate ourselves from those who are believers but persist in sin.
"I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one." I Corinthians 5:11

However we judge others, in that way we will be judged by God.