Paul calls us to conviction about peace and harmony.
Ephesians 4.2-3 (NIV) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
• BE COMPLETELY humble and gentle
• BEAR WITH one another in love
• MAKE EVERY EFFORT
Bad news: every family has conflict.
Good news: every family has conflict.
Matthew 5.9 (ESV) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are the peacemakers. If there is any place on earth where Christians are committed to peacemaking, it ought to be in our homes.
4 practical convictions to be peacemakers in our families:
1. Overlook what can honestly be overlooked.
Proverbs 19.11 (ESV) Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
Some things really are small enough to cover with grace.
2. When something must be addressed, lead with mercy.
Colossians 3.13 (NLT) Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Homes get healthier when grace flows.
3. Own your part first.
Jesus said to get the log out of your own eye first before trying to remove the speck from someone else’s. A real apology owns my part without immediately redirecting attention to the other person’s failures.
4. Seek reconciliation – don’t settle for relief or “victory”.
Romans 12.18 (ESV) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
2 Corinthians 5.18 (NIV) God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation
He can make hot-tempered people gentler. He can make families healthier.
Aim for a home where…
• little things are covered in grace.
• things are addressed with mercy.
• people own up to their part.
• reconciliation matters more than winning.
• Jesus is at the center.
The strongest families are the ones that keep bringing their struggles to Jesus… allowing Him teach them how to make peace.