Conflict Resolution

[larryt]

Thanks Bob,

Old proverb -- When I point the finger at someone else I also have three pointing back at me.

Forgive me if I have pointed the finger at anyone.

LT

[WayneB]

Yes brother, but may I add a step before Item 1?

PREPARE your heart...then approach the person that you have a conflcit with in LOVE.

Prepare through prayer and fasting IF needed but always PREPARE your heart FIRST.

It does no good to try to settle your dispute IF you are not prepared first.

Regardless, sometimes the best way to avoid a senseless fight is to never get in the ring?

Be Blessed,

Wayne

[WISDOM]

Thank YOU FATHER, for speaking clearly and distinctly through Bob....

**James 1:19-20.......Proverbs 15:1; 15:18; 16:32

Our FATHER always makes round faces. We're the ones who make long faces. We can't be blind to other people's faults; BUT....we CAN BE infinitely tender, comparing their worst WITH our worst and NOT their worst with our best!

[WayneB]

Thank YOU FATHER, for speaking clearly and distinctly through Bob....

**James 1:19-20.......Proverbs 15:1; 15:18; 16:32

Our FATHER always makes round faces. We're the ones who make long faces. We can't be blind to other people's faults; BUT....we CAN BE infinitely tender, comparing their worst WITH our worst and NOT their worst with our best!

Nice touch Nate! I tend to do just that...compare other's worst with my best. THEN the Spirit reminds me that I am NOTHING without HIM...NOTHING at all! My best is NOT good enough. We ALL fall short of God's glory... [Romans 3:23]

[UndecidedFrog]

Dear Bob Triez,

This is just my opinion. You need not accept it if you disagree with it. DISCLAIMER: I am not a christian.

17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector

How do christians treat pagans and tax collectors?

I was just wondering.

Regards,

UndecidedFrog

[larryt]

Dear Bob Triez,

This is just my opinion. You need not accept it if you disagree with it. DISCLAIMER: I am not a christian.

17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector

How do christians treat pagans and tax collectors?

I was just wondering.

Regards,

UndecidedFrog

Matt 18 is dealing with discipline within the church. If a member is treated like a pagan he is treated as an unbeliever until there is repentance from sin. Does this answer?

LT

[Anonymous]

Great post Bob.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be Holy and acceptable to you O God, my Rock and my Redeemer."

[UndecidedFrog]

Dear larryt,

This is just my opinion. You need not accept it if you disagree with it. DISCLAIMER: I am not a christian.

Matt 18 is dealing with discipline within the church. If a member is treated like a pagan he is treated as an unbeliever until there is repentance from sin. Does this answer?

LT

Not really. It just leads to another.

So how do christians treat unbelievers until there is repentance from sin?

Maybe my question is too open ended, let me try multiple choice, and you can modify the closest one:

a) treat them with love and respect and hope they will once again accept doctrine.

b) treat them with disdain, as if they were 2nd class citizens, shun them as if they are a disease on mankind.

c) beat them up until they agree.

Are all unbelievers either pagans or taxcollectors? Are there any christian taxcollectors?

Regards,

UndecidedFrog

[larryt]

UndecidedFrog

a) treat them with love and respect and hope they will once again accept doctrine.

Keep in mind from my point of view there are only 2 types of people in the world. Believers and Unbelievers. Some of the unbelievers today might be believers tomorrow. I treat all unbelievers as potential brothers/sisters in the Lord. Some believers that don't fit what I know is the "mold" of the believer I would rather make sure that they are saved than to say to myself, "they are believers already and I don't need to talk to them." If someone tries to make sure I'm save I appreciate it because they are showing they do care about where I end up.

You say

DISCLAIMER: I am not a christian.

Q: Have you ever lied? YES?

You have broken God's law and are disquallified from heaven. You owe a debt and you have not the resourses to pay your debt. Jesus paid your debt for you. If you acknowledge that, you can show your appreciation by bending your knee and serve Jesus as Lord and He will save you.

LT

[UndecidedFrog]

Dear larryt,

This is just my opinion. You need not accept it if you disagree with it. DISCLAIMER: I am not a christian.

Thank you for your response and your clarification. So you think the christians of old treated taxcollectors and pagans with love and respect? I will have to look into that.

Now for your tangential point: I'm sure at some point in my life, I have lied. Of course I try not to, but I am not infallible. As an unbeliever, I do not believe in God. If I do not believe in God, I surely do not believe I owe anything to God.

Regards,

UndecidedFrog

PS: I do not get into loan situations where I do not have the resources to pay my debts.