Dialogue
Matthew 5:23-25 “Therefore,
if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother
has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar.
First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. 25 Settle
matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you
are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the
judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.”
THERE’S this thing called dialogue that is a good thing to
do but too few of us do it. Dialogue happens when two or more people talk constructively
about a subject to reach an agreement, to inform or to take action. But too
often we are inclined to enter a conversation with a “Let me tell you.” attitude.
We have an agenda, ideas, and opinions to convey and how can we do that if we
let the other person speak his agenda, ideas and opinions?
Jesus, though, says, “Dialogue.” And his
reasons are obvious. When you dialogue with someone you’ve wronged, you will
reach a point of apology. When you dialogue with someone who wants to sue you,
you discover a resolution. Talking constructively, calmly with someone you are
angry with and hearing their side of the issue leads you to correctly dispose of
your anger. There is no place in the Kingdom of God for pent-up emotions and unruly
behavior. Every situation that causes division can be reshaped to unite through
appropriate dialogue.
The next time you
disagree with someone or become angry with one, put those unholy emotions
aside. Get right with your brother or sister in Christ. Live right with Jesus.
LIFE Link: Calm words lead to solutions.
No comments:
Post a Comment