Habits of a Thankful HeartSampl

Seek Reconciliation

Agree in the Lord. (Philippians 4:2)

In 1983, Pope John Paul II went to prison to visit the man who had tried to kill him the year before. Too many people in the world, this was an astonishing act of forgiveness. But for the pope, it was an outgrowth of his understanding of grace.

Forgiveness is a great test of whether we have understood the gospel of grace. When we experience conflict our natural response is to be angry and defensive. But Paul reminds us that if we have rooted our identity in the Lord we will seek reconciliation. We will be compelled to forgive others because we are aware of what God sacrificed in order to forgive us.

People who cannot forgive pay dearly for their anger and bitterness. It makes thanksgiving nearly impossible: those who are preoccupied with how they’ve been wronged ignore the mercies they’ve received. This is spiritually dangerous. If you know of two believers who are in conflict, urge them to reconcile—as Paul does here with Euodia and Syntyche.

Imagine what our communities would look like if we showed each other the grace Christ showed us. It would be a taste of heaven.

Reflect: Is there someone with whom you need to reconcile? Do it as an act of worship and a sign of gratitude.