Are you embroiled in conflict today? Are you trying to manage your situation based on your own understanding and frustrated because resolution seems to evade you at every turn? Look to Jesus!
The shed blood of Jesus on the cross is the power of God for reconciliation. As believers, we are to be "looking to Jesus,” in all things (Hebrews 12:2) including conflict.
Jesus set his face determinedly toward Jerusalem, to the great battle of Calvary, where He would rescue us from our most significant conflict, eternal separation from God caused by the rebellion of our sin against Him. He will not abandon us to our own devices now.
As believers, reconciled to God through Jesus' death and resurrection for us, we want to follow Him, empowered by His Spirit, controlled by His love, to navigate conflict in the shadow of His cross, looking past the discomfort of our disagreements to the hope of a joyful reconciliation.
When conflict comes, look to Jesus first! Before you tweet about your political preferences or get on your soapbox about some community issue, look to the cross and ask, “Does what I am about to say communicate gospel love?”
When your neighbor is irritating you, look to Jesus! At the foot of His cross, look up and see the crown of thorns on Jesus' head, His nail-pierced hands and feet, and, in light of the love of Jesus and the forgiveness you have generously received, think of a way to bless your neighbor.
When your child challenges your authority, don’t get into a screaming match as the world does. Instead, look to Jesus! See Him dying for you while you were still rebellious, and then in light of the great kindness that Jesus has shown you, let your kindness lead your child to repentance (Romans 2:4). Assure your child that they are loved and gently guide them in grace to Jesus.
Let us not live according to the flesh by trying to ignore or living to incite conflict, but instead, let us look to the cross of Christ and remember that His blood brings peace. And in those times, when peace between you and another is not possible, look to Jesus and release your angst to Him. Let His peace rule in your heart and be thankful (1 Corinthians 6:7, Colossians 3:15).
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18
Question: How does looking to Jesus and His cross put to death hostility and conflict in your life?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Sophia writes, "If Christ's cross was enough to resolve the conflict between God and man, it can resolve the conflict between man and man! I must look to the cross in times of conflict and see that:
- we are all equally sinners that Christ came to save (Phil 2:3-10)
- Jesus himself is our peace (Eph 2:14-16) because he has unified us (I Cor 1:10-11)
- we are to respond to each other in love and be lights in the world
- we are commanded to let Christ's peace rule in our hearts and be thankful! (Col 3:15)" Wendy writes, "Jesus’ death on the cross solved all sin problems forever. If we truly believe that Jesus’ death removed all separation from God; and that His resurrection power now lives in us; then we too have amazing powers of healing; gentleness; meekness; love; forbearance; forgiveness; and self-control. God tells us over and over in His word that we are now indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to exercise these spiritual fruits and gifts. Jesus forgave his torturers while they were torturing Him. I can forgive my parents and family and friends because I know that any separation or conflict between any of us is due to the misunderstanding caused by sin. Sin is temporary but the power of God given to us by Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection is eternal and much more powerful than sin. God will heal every sin and every misunderstanding. I will forgive and pray for my family instead of harboring resentment against them. Jesus has healed my mind and soul and is removing all roots of bitterness and wrath. Hallelujah! I am being set free!"
Jen writes, "I must remember that God loves him just as He loves me. If nothing else, I am to love Him because God does. I am COMMANDED to live peaceably with ALL men. How can I say that the love of God is in me if I am not willing to swallow my pride and seek to live at peace with him. Again, Jesus’ death already paid for our sins on the cross and I need to live as though I believe it and am grateful for it!!"
Mike L. writes, "As I look upon the sacrifice of Jesus and see the priced He paid for me, the greatest honor I could ever give back is to become like Him. The prize at the end of the race is to be conformed to the likeness of Christ, this is what I seek, this will be my reward. There is no better way to do this than seeing the humility of the sinless Lamb on the cross, taking on His attitudes, His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, and His grace. Thinking about all these things truly puts hostility and conflict to death in my heart, how could I treat others this way when I look at the cross. Jesus reconciled me to the Father and when I look to Him, He reconciles me to those I conflict with. It's simply amazing how turning my eyes to Jesus has changed me, what a Beautiful Savior we have, thank you Lord Jesus for Your amazing love to each of us, we love you so much! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2tKVqZZiI4