Matthew 18: 15 - 20 "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (v. 18, NRSV).
We, Christianly-thinking types have an opportunity that is oft somewhat difficult to fathom. Due to our choice to: read, contemplate, internalize, embrace, align with, adhere to, embody and then finally enact, our capability to intercede, confront, defuse and reconcile conflict is boundless. More simply put: enlisting God's Spirit, then boldly, yet tactfully proceeding toward clarity and "goodness", is undoubtedly for the benefit of the whole (which includes all affected persons)! Easier said than done, you say, but do you not perceive it? (Is. 43:19).
Our Pastor's account regarding a difficult individual in a previous church-setting, resolved by prayer, assertive, un-offensive and truthful conversation yielding an unforeseeable outcome takes me back to 2016 with a Christian sister. In my case, it was a family case, where she and I differed on her care of our mother. Instead of going directly to Sis with my opinion and issues, I: anxiously agonized, prayed, waited for it to blow over, commiserated with a confidante, waited, hoped for it to change, prayed with my confidante, enlisted a more direct brother, garnered support from a daughter who also lived in the home, feared that I was being too judgmental, and I finally set-up a lunch outing with Sis and that brother. Oh, did I say I prayed some more? The gathering went well! My understanding of Jesus' life and intentions for our good had me both setting-up the meeting and initiating the difficult topic, once gathered. My sister's role as primary care-giver had run its course; their dynamic needed to change. I was bolstered by my confidante's earnest conscious contact with the God of our understanding, while we 3 dined at a local Pizzeria. My role with Mom's affairs changed for the better and brother and I facilitated the needed care, sans Sis, who got to return to daughter status. Suffice it to say, that the conversation / decisions didn't go perfectly, nor as I had planned, but it went wonderfully with Mom's well-being served beautifully, the siblings more tightly bonded and my angst lessened! My part had been to enlist God's everlasting support and behave and speak as a willing participant in His plan.... not sure why it took me so long to let go & do that; but gratitude has surfaced.
Lord, lead us along paths of Righteousness for your name's sake! Kevin T. for your Deacons.