Daily Devotional
Pursue Reconciliation Over Gossip
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
March 3, 2024
Ponder This
One man said he was so distressed with evil in the world that he got to talking with God and asked, “God, why don’t you destroy these evil people?” And God said, “Alright, I will. I’ll start with you.” All of us, even the best of us, fail. A church is not a museum of saints; it’s a hospital for sinners. If somebody has sinned against you, don’t make it a matter of gossip. Don’t come and tell your pastor what some church member has done wrong. Go to that individual. Pray. Go lovingly, humbly, gently, and try to win your brother. If he won’t hear you, get a few trusted friends—spiritually mature people—and go back. If he won’t hear them, then bring it to the church and the church must confront. If he doesn’t hear the church, it would break our hearts, but we would have to treat him as though he’s never met and known the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Attempt, with all your heart, to win them with the love of Christ.
- With whom do you need to pursue reconciliation?
- Why do you think it is easier to see the sin in others than to see the sin in ourselves?
Practice This
Pray for reconciliation in your broken relationships.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
