The sixth biblical step toward restoring a relationship is to cooperate as much as possible.
The apostle Paul said, “Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody” (Romans 12:18 GNT). Peace always has a price tag. Sometimes it costs our pride; it often costs our self-centeredness.
For the sake of fellowship, do your best to compromise, adjust to others, and show preference to what they need. A paraphrase of Jesus’ seventh beatitude says, “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are and your place in God’s family” (Matthew 5:9 The Message).
Peacemaking is not avoiding conflict. Running from a problem, pretending it doesn’t exist, or being afraid to talk about it is actually cowardice. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was never afraid of conflict.
Peacemaking is also not appeasement. Always giving in, acting like a doormat, or allowing others to always run over you is not what Jesus had in mind. He refused to back down on many issues, standing his ground in the face of evil opposition.
Peacemaking means cooperating so that you can restore a relationship and honor the other person.
Talk It Over
Do you tend to avoid conflict instead of attempting reconciliation? Why or why not?
If you find yourself giving in and letting others run over you, how does your perspective change knowing this is not biblical peacemaking?
How does Jesus’ example help you remember to show preference to others?
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