Living God’s Will

Sinners sin against each other, even in the body of Christ. Sometimes we wrong others. Other times, we are wronged. What we do next is critical to the unity of the church. Unity does not depend on the absence of sin but on the presence of reconciling grace. The preservation of unity depends on humble repentance and joyful forgiveness.

Don’t be surprised when people hurt you. Don’t act as if some bizarre thing has happened to you. Remember that you live in a fallen world with fallen people. Like you, they can be rude, insensitive, and selfish. Like you, they will wrong others. Be willing to accept this reality and respond as God commands.

With a thankful heart, dwell on the forgiveness you have received. Be amazed by grace. Stir up thanksgiving for your salvation. Wonder at the patience of God toward you. Be moved by the love God poured out for you through the death and resurrection of His Son for your forgiveness. Your transgressions are treacherous. But His grace goes deeper still and forgives you. His forgiveness of you in Christ, so complete and beautiful, causes the angels to wonder. We should make sure it causes us to wonder all the more.

With a joyful heart, commit to a lifestyle of forgiveness. Set your mind on forgiving others out of sheer gratitude to God and love for Jesus. Forgive others, just as God in Christ has forgiven you. Be joyful in this work. Be eager. God does not regret forgiving you. Jesus does not regret paying the penalty for your sin. The glory of Christ is displayed through our forgiveness of one another. The power of the gospel is exercised and the unity of the church is preserved through our forgiveness of one another. So let us be wholeheartedly committed to forgiving others as we have been forgiven.

– God’s Will for Christian Unity (pg. 194)