The Peacemaker

by Ken Sande

Glorify God: How can I please and honor God in this situation? Get the log out of your own eye: How can I show Jesus’ work in me by taking responsibility for my contribution to this conflict? Gently restore: How can I lovingly serve others by helping them take responsibility for their contribution to this conflict? Go and be reconciled: How can I demonstrate the forgiveness of God and encourage a reasonable solution to this conflict?

Knowing that he was safely in God’s hands no matter what his circumstances, Paul was always free. This knowledge saved him from crippling worry and allowed him to respond effectively to the opportunities God had set before him.

How could I tell which motives were actually ruling my heart? All I had to do was look at how I felt and reacted when my desires were not being met.

Idols always demand sacrifices. When someone fails to satisfy our demands and expectations, our idol demands that he should suffer. Whether deliberately or unconsciously, we will find ways to hurt or punish people so that they will give in to our desires.

When we catch ourselves punishing others in any way, whether deliberately and overtly or unconsciously and subtly, it is a warning that something other than God is ruling our hearts.