The thing about us Christians is that we won't always get along, and that's part of life. But even in the midst of conflict and differences, we can celebrate oneness in Christ knowing that because we are of one faith, we can exist in unity even if there is no uniformity.
It's natural to disagree because God made us all to be unique and different from one another. However, disagreement should never be a cause for relational strife. Churches and social media are full of Christians fighting over matters that God wouldn't want them arguing about. But Jesus also promises that in the midst of relational conflict He will be the foundation that holds us all together.
We are to pursue unity and love for one another first and foremost in all that we do here on earth as we express our love and honour for God. It is relationship and not correctness that honours God most, and that's what we must fight for.
Here are eight scriptures that teach us to pursue peace and how we may find it in God in the midst of relational conflict.
Proverbs 17:14 – "The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out."
Proverbs 26:17 – "Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears."
Matthew 5:9 – "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
John 13:34-35 – "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
1 Corinthians 13:1 – "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal."
Ephesians 4:2-3 – "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
2 Timothy 2:14 – "Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers."
1 Peter 3:8-9 – "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing."
