Healing Broken Relationships

“For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.” Colossians 1:19-23

John Stott, the former rector of All Souls Church in London said that sin causes conflict in three areas - with God, with others, and with self. When we receive the forgiveness of our sins through Christ, our conflict with God is ended. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).

However, our conflict with others is still very real. Because of the presence and power of sin, relationships can still bring hurt, bitterness, anger, and rejection. In fact, it is such relational discord that brings so much frustration and pain to our Christian walk. We know God is for us, but we are not at all sure about anyone else. Disharmony with others continues to plague us because there is still conflict with self. Even after salvation, the internal battle over who will rule our lives rages.
       
Will we submit to Christ’s reign or our own? That is the pivotal question, and the answer colors every aspect of our relationship to one another. Surrendering our wills to Christ’s lordship to bring His peace into our affairs with men can only mean one thing - daily dying to self.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love...”
Romans 12:10