Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Holding grudges

I’ve had people ask me before if it’s possible to go to worship assemblies and Bible classes, trying to live right but not speak to people because of grudges. The answer is “No!”

In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus taught that if we want to leave a gift at the altar and have something against our brother, we must first be reconciled to him. The word “reconciled” means to effect an alteration in cases of mutual hostility and yield to mutual concessions.

Jesus said in John 15:17, “These things I command you, that ye love one another.” This was a test of discipleship. The apostle Paul further explained love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 because the brethren were having squabbles among themselves. In 1 Corinthians 13:7, the word “bears” means to “bear up against, hold out against, to endure, forbear.” If we are motivated by love, we will not have to worry about coming to worship angry with one another.

Ephesians 4:26-27 gives us a good maxim to go by: “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” This verse is not condemning anger in and of itself, because God was angered. This verse means that when we are angry, we should let it pass quickly lest it corrupt our hearts. While most people are content with not talking with each other, or even moving to another congregation, I implore you, for eternity’s sake, to resolve your problems with your brother or sister.


Kyle Campbell

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