Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 25:7b-10
Prov 25:7-10
7b What your eyes have seen 8 do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? 9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, 10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.
Matt 5:23-24
So, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Matt 18:15
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
Jesus says that if someone has something against you or if you have something against someone, either way, go to that person and work it out. This makes it my responsibility (yours for you) to settle things when we have a difference with another person, regardless of whose fault it is, or which one started it. The teaching of Jesus agreed with this Proverb because it works in real life.
This is related to the idea that God wants us to be at peace with others. There are people that are troublemakers, who like to argue and create strife. Unfortunately, some of these become preachers and justify themselves by claiming to have the truth and saying that they are just fighting error. Paul says they are perverted, and their work is like cancer, and they should be both marked and avoided.
I have heard all my life (and grew up seeing my dad practice it) that it is ok for us to disagree, but we are not to be disagreeable. We can (and should) love each other enough that we get along with each other, be friends with each other, but still disagree on things (including religion and politics). We may have some heated discussions, but this does not keep us from being nice, being kind and still having a mutual respect and love for each other. This goes back to what we discussed yesterday on the subject of humility. We just may be the one who is wrong.
O Lord God, give me a heart of love and peace. Help me be a peacemaker who enjoys encouraging others and sees the good in others. In order to do this, I need your wisdom, and I need your patience and your willingness to forgive. Fill me with your Spirit so these things will be a part of my personality. Be with your people, wherever they are, and protect them and provide them with their needs by using me and others who can help them. Help me to be like Jesus and to go about doing good. I humbly pray in his name.
Robert
