“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” Matthew 18:15 ESV

I didn’t even notice when my tongue got caught in front of my eye teeth and I didn’t see what I was saying! Looking back, I should have! Words that I had spoken in jest, in a joking manner, were not received that way. I became guilty of hurting a very dear Christian brother. Thank GOD, and him, neither of them let it go!

Being called to preach is not all it’s cracked up to be. Preaching the Gospel to a world of sinners is ALWAYS offensive. ESPECIALLY today, when reminding people that sin is Biblically wrong in God’s eyes, is becoming a HUGE NO NO! Usually folks will decide they don’t like me because of the message I’m demanded to to tell. But that was not the case this time. I had no excuse and SHOULD HAVE known my brother well enough to know his soft spots. Stupid me!

The Bible verse today is a 2 way street. It is a COMMAND from God and presumes that BOTH parties are dedicated to Him enough to both WANT and DO His will. EVEN if it becomes an uncomfortable experience! When I got the message of my offense, I had the option to just ignore the pain I had caused, or to be reconciled.

Maybe it is no accident that ‘reconciling’ starts with the word ‘recon.’ A word defined as ‘the exploration of an area to gain information.’ I desperately wanted to know how to repair the relationship. So after he called, I dug in and listened. Thank God he talked! Many do not! I recognized his bringing up the issue was loving, brave, honest…and Biblical! I am honored to know such a man.

I THINK everything is going to be OK. But fixing hearts isn’t like fixing a car. Hearts can take time. Knowing my friend as I do, and knowing his love for God, I believe we’re on the right track to get it right! He was obligated to TELL ME what I had done, and he is obligated to ultimately FORGIVE ME! Even if it takes me ‘70×7’ plus requests! This writing is like # 10!

I know there is NOTHING on this planet more important to God and people as relationships! I also know that as long as sin and people are on earth, there will be fractures. But that God He has a way of dealing with those. I thank God for ‘BRAVE JESUS WARRIORS’ who aren’t scared to confront and fix broken things! So thank you James for letting me know of offense! I am blessed to have such an honorable friend who actually DOES what God says.    IOU!  

From whom are YOU estranged…and what are YOU DOING about it?