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Biblical Peacemaking IIConfronting and Forgiveness

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Matthew 5:9

Conflict

Avoidant Responses(Passive)

Attack Responses

(Aggressive)

Biblical Peacemaking(Speaking the truth

in love)

Matthew 18

Confronting

noyes

yes

no

Lovingly confront1x1 (Matt. 18:15)

Lovingly confront2 /3x1 (Matt. 18x16)

Step 1Step 2Step 3Step 4

Church confront2 /3x1 (Matt. 18x17a)

Listen?

Listen?

Listen?no yes

Treat as an unbeliever (Matt.

18:17b)

Danger?yes

Put out!

Limit!no

If a brother sins against you!

Disciple toward

restoration

“Biblically, the highest privilege of a mortal can enjoy is to be a welcome member of the worshiping congregation.”

** Crossway’s ESV Study Bible note on Psalm 63**

Forgiveness

Horizontal vs. Vertical Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the giving up demand for repayment based on a right view of God, self and sin, while maintaining a Christ-like attitude, regardless how you feel.*

Transactional Forgiveness incorporates the idea of positional forgiveness and takes it a step further.

*See Matt. 18:21-35; Heb. 12:15; Luke 17:1-10

Implications for Marriage(Matthew 19)

Fundamentally, relationships break down because of sin. If there was no sin in the world, relationships would work harmoniously, evidenced by love and unity. When relationships are broken, we take it as an opportunity to draw near to God and with the help of the Holy Spirit search our hearts while being encouraged in the context of a gospel-saturated community.

Redeeming Truth of Steps Eight and Nine

Where we have sinned, we can be reconciled to God by grace through faith in Christ and receive forgiveness. As one forgiven by God, we can humbly approach those who have been affected by our sin and make amends. Additionally, we always forgive from our hearts when we are sinned against by handing offenses over to God (positional forgiveness) and stand eager to demonstrate grace and extend forgiveness to those who ask for it as ambassadors for Christ (relational forgiveness). In this way, fellowship with God and among His people is preserved.

Redeeming Truth of Steps Eight and Nine (cont.)