WORSHIPING GOD IN TIMES OF CONFLICT

Dining with Jesus Christian Episodes

THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Worshiping God in Times of Conflict

We continue to look at what flows out of a life of worship as we read more of Romans chapter 12. In the section of the Apostle Paul’s message to the church in Rome that is included below, we hear a challenge from the Holy Spirit to all who will hear the heart of God.

In this message, the follower of Christ is challenged to allow the Lord to turn their times of conflict and interpersonal hardship into expressions of worship. As we will hear, the Lord wants us to offer our part of interpersonal conflict and trial to the Lord so that God will be glorified in and through our behavior with others.

Let’s hear how we are to worship in times of conflict:

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:17-21 NIV11

Do Not Repay

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:38-42), we heard Jesus Christ teach us that we are not to follow the principle of retribution that had been employed by those working to ensure that justice was done amongst the people of Israel. The follower of Jesus Christ was to set aside the Lex Talionus, the principle of an eye for and eye.

Instead, we are to use these times of trial and conflict to share the unexpected grace and mercy of Christ with others. As we choose not to engage in equal measures of injustice and evil when provoked, we are able to worship God as we choose to turn the other cheek.

Live at Peace

Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Here we are given a great example of what our side of forgiveness looks like when we are dealing with someone who does not care about our pain, or who does not have any interest in seeing that justice is done.

Maybe you are facing conflict with an ex, or with an obstinate family member, and you do not know how to show them that you have forgiven them. Or, perhaps you cannot even image what forgiveness might look like in a situation that has been so broken for so long that it seems hopeless and intractable.

Into these situations, we need to remind ourselves of this call to worship the Lord by seeking peace with those who are at odds with us.

Peace in a broken relationship will look different depending on the circumstances, but one thing that the child of God needs to see is that we need to be the agents of peace. We need to be peacemakers.

Let God Avenge

The Lord is at work in your times of conflict. The Holy Spirit is actively seeking to bring about the will of the Lord, even in your most desperate and broken relationships. That is a promise of the Lord.

One thing that will frustrate the work of the Lord is if we decide it is up to us to mete out our own version of justice. If we are asking God to be at work in our conflict, then we need to give the Lord room to work without adding our sinful desires for violence and further pain. The Lord will bring justice while you continue to be an agent of peace.

Overcome Evil with Good

“But I want them to feel my wrath!” Ever thought that? Sure you have. We all want to make the other person pay when we feel we are being wronged. Just remember this, we are on an eternal field of battle, and the Lord is the one who declares victory.

If we meet evil with evil, we lose the battle. If we meet evil with peace, with room for God to act, and with acts of unexpected grace and kindness, then, in the Lord’s eyes, we win.

Be a winner for Christ.

In Christ,

Ryan Laden

OUR MISSION AS A CHURCH

“TO ENCOURAGE AND EQUIP EACH OTHER IN LOVE TO KNOW JESUS AND MAKE HIM KNOWN”

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