Five Ways to Live Out Biblical Reconciliation

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How are you doing? I bet like me you are just plain weary and overwhelmingly sad. The world has gone mad over the last month or so. Violence and hatred seem to be here to stay, and I am scared to turn on the news. I am even more scared to leave my house. I no longer feel safe at soccer games or movie theaters or my favorite restaurant.
If I allow my thoughts to linger on the dark events in this broken world, I will live a life rooted in fear and doubt. But, I know that God has not given me a spirit of fear. He has given me a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. He has empowered me with His Holy Spirit to go out into all the world and share the Good News.

The Good News is still available and accessible. No one can rob me of my peace with God, and I must share of the hope that is within me. 

Yet, I must acknowledge that we are battling major strongholds. We face prejudice and injustice. We are fighting spiritual blindness and apathy. 

Our nation desperately needs reconciliation. But, reconciliation is not merely coming to a greater understanding and living in mutual harmony as citizens of earth. True reconciliation is a transforming work of the Spirit of God that is only made possible by the resurrection power of Christ who laid His life down on the cross to make a bridge for us to pass from death to life. 

I am called to be God’s ambassador of reconciliation. Mending what is broken must start with me. I must live a transformed life that points those in need of restoration to the One who truly sets us free.

5 Ways to Live Out Biblical Reconciliation

• Keep short accounts: Don’t hold grudges. Speak the truth in love and work toward harmony.

”Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

• Lean toward grace: Display meekness and forgive readily.

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:12-14).

• Reject self-sufficiency: Acknowledge your own transgressions and turn from selfishness to surrender and service. We do life best when we are walking together and helping each other carry the load. 

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).

• Stay on your knees: Pray together for God’s help in reestablishing mutual concession.

In Philippians 3, right after entreating Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord, Paul encouraged the church to pray: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:4-9).

• Walk in peace: Never let bitterness take root in your heart. Choose to love even if it’s hard.    

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21).
 
Reconciliation is possible. Christ gave His life to ensure that we would not have to live a life of discord and defeat. Today, we can choose to extend God’s reconciliation to others. We can walk in love and point others to the Truth the will truly set them free. 
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About Lyli

​Lyli Dunbar loves teaching.  For 17 years, she mentored teenagers in the Christian school setting, and now she has serves as Associate Director of Curriculum at Trinity International University Florida. Lyli married her Prince Charming in her 40’s and has a heart for encouraging young couples and singles in God’s waiting room.  She enjoys road trips with her husband, connecting with women through Bible study, and reading way too many books. Lyli writes about life lessons and faith on her personal blog. You may also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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