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Unreconciled Relationships and Our Christian Witness

Writer: Dwight SchettlerDwight Schettler
7 hours ago3 min read

How does a person’s sin harm relationships?

Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation - Lesson 6, Restore with Gentleness, Question 3, p. 87


As followers of Christ, the way we manage our relationships significantly impacts our witness to others. Scripture provides profound insights into how unresolved conflicts can hinder our ability to reflect Christ's love effectively.


In John 13:34-35, Jesus commands, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." This passage highlights the paramount importance of love among believers as a testimony to the world. When relationships within the body of Christ remain unreconciled, it contradicts the very essence of this commandment and undermines our witness. The absence of visible love and unity can lead others to question the authenticity of our faith.


1 Corinthians 6:4-8 addresses the issue of disputes among believers, stating, "So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?" Paul emphasizes the detrimental effect of unresolved conflicts and legal disputes on our witness. Such actions reflect poorly on the church and its members, suggesting a lack of internal peace and wisdom.


1 Peter 2:12 encourages believers to "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." Unreconciled relationships can tarnish our conduct and hinder the opportunity for others to see Christ through our good deeds. Our behavior should always aim to reflect God's glory.


In John 17:20-23, Jesus prays for unity among believers, saying, "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me." This passage underscores the critical nature of unity as a testimony to the world of God's love and the truth of the Gospel.


In navigating the complexities of relationships, Colossians 3:12-13 offers comforting guidance: "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." This call to compassion, kindness, and forgiveness serves as a gentle reminder of the grace we have received and are called to extend to others. Through reconciliation and exhibiting Christ-like virtues, we can strengthen our witness and reflect the love of Christ authentically to the world.


 

This blog series is adapted from Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation. You can experience this teaching in several ways:

 
 
 

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