10 GUIDELINES FOR A BETTER RELATIONSHIP

 By Larry Tomczak, CP Op-Ed Contributor Tuesday, January 16, 2024,/EyeEm via Getty/ Chanintorn Vanichsawangphan

John 13:17 says, "If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

"I will pass through this world only once. Therefore, any good that I can do, or any good that I can show to any human being, let me do it now; do not delay or ignore it, because I will not go through this path again," it is written on the wall of my workspace.

In addition, my acronym is H.O.P.E., which means the days of helping others.

In a world that increasingly looks like the one Jesus described in the last days, where people are "offended, betrayed, and hated" (Matthew 24:10), we must be very attentive to doing good by maintaining good relationships and repairing broken ones.

Jesus prayed as a high priest before the cross for the world to believe that he came from God. He asks us to prioritize maintaining our unity and love for one another.

One of the very clear commandments found in the Bible is, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but think about doing what is honorable in the eyes of all. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peacefully with everyone."

What should we do as disabled people when we face inevitable relationship conflicts? ("We all err [offend] in many ways" (James 3:2)?

Back to the root of the problem

We remind ourselves that "denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following him" is the price of true discipleship (Matthew 15:24), living not by emotion but by decision. We must remember that Jesus said in Matthew 6:15 that if we do not forgive others, our Heavenly Father will not forgive us either. And forgiveness has no limits, as Jesus said, "70×7" (Matthew 18:22). This is for the sake of his goodness and glory.

Let's discard the rationalizing excuses that things will just go away when we live in denial when we have a disagreement with someone in our marriage, family, church, ministry, or business. We will reject it if it is not fixed. So let us rely on the way Jesus acted.

Do not do anything out of ego or vain pride, but with humility, consider others better than yourself. Everyone should be concerned with the interests of others, not just their own (Philippians 2:4).

10 instructions

To proactively prevent problems, consider posting and disseminating them to your ministry, church, and loved ones.

1. Emphasize that achieving peace is a direction and not an option.

Jesus said," If you come to worship and there is a tremendous offense against someone, leave your gift and do it right "(Matthew 5:23), and" do it with honor and redemption, looking upon yourself with all humility" (Galatians 6:1). This means that both people must act like Christ: with humility, pious sorrow for sins, and true repentance.

Bill, Me and you have known each other for a while, and I really value our relationship and want to improve it, starting with me, where there are some divisions between us. Are we able to talk, admit our failures, and improve the situation? [Note: This is not done via text!].

2. Avoid remaining silent and take deliberate action to thwart "the accuser of the Brethren" (Revelation 12:10) and to shield others from "the root of bitterness that can defile many" (Hebrews 12:15).

Remember how Absalom, David's son, caused tension and defilement by accepting bad news and allowing it to spread?

3. Act in a similar way to God, who is "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger" (James 1:19).

"The fool is not pleased to understand, but only to speak his opinion" (Proverbs 18:2).

4. Note the" due process "that results from a desire to investigate, not from the accusation that" the first to present his case seems right until another comes and examines it" (Proverbs 18:17).

5. Avoid incendiary categorical statements like "you always are... you never have... you are empty-handed," which do not fit into charitable conversations and aim to give people the benefit of the doubt and love.

"Love, long-suffering, and kind... love endures everything, believes everything, hopes everything, and endures everything... Because we know in part... When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, and I thought as a child... So now abide in faith, hope, and love, all three, but the greatest is love" (1 Corinthians 13).

6. Remember that we are all sinners saved by grace, and oppose all arrogant attitudes and actions.

After all of her family members are killed by the Nazis, Corrie ten Boom meets with a former SS guard from Ravensbrook prison camp, who asks for her forgiveness. "There is a Hitler in all of us," he said lovingly, and he forgave her.

Who can know that the heart is cunning and very evil above all? (Jeremiah 17:9–10).

Proverbs 21:2 says, "Every man's conduct seems right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs on his heart."

7. Uphold Jesus' direction to meet in person to discuss actual sinful behavior. This is to avoid gossip (sharing personal information with people who are not a problem or solution) and slander (sharing information that may or may not be true to damage someone's reputation).

According to Apple's corporate culture policy, its employees must follow this procedure.

8. If we get stuck in a thorough interaction, we will follow Jesus' command and humble ourselves to seek mature biblical counsel to help resolve the conflict (Matthew 18:15–16).

9. In repairing relationships, we will deliberately share affection with each other to distinguish between ongoing behavior and isolated events.

Mercy does not give people what they deserve, but grace gives people what they do not deserve. In Scripture, we are told,"Mercy triumphs over condemnation "(Hebrews 2:13) and " Blessed are the merciful, for They Shall Have Mercy" (Matthew 5:7). We'll get what we plant.

10. By celebrating the God-given diversity of the Christian community, we pledge to be compassionate in recognizing different preferences, personalities, and positions in the obscure territory of "contentious issues" (Romans 14) and not allowing them to lead to conflict.

None of us have it all; however, when we get together, we have it all!

Because we love each other, we make each other comfortable with each other.

This is the deal.

In the midst of a generation filled with conflict and hatred, may we consecrate ourselves to mend our relationships to glorify God, receive his blessings, and prevent Satan's plans. 

In Psalm 133:1–3, it is stated that "Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity... for there the Lord has commanded blessings, even life for ever."

Larry Tomczak is a 50-year-old cultural commentator, member of the Council of Intercessors for America, best-selling author, and public policy advisor to Liberty Counsel. He also wrote ten books. In her effort to produce informed influencers in 30 days, she created her new video/book, BULLSEYE, and various resources on her website, www.larrytomczak.com. His weekly podcast is also available at this location.

News Sources: https://www.christianpost.com/voices/10-guidelines-to-repair-relationships.html