poured out on them abundantly.
Col 3:15-“ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
3) Reconciliation Makes Our Prayers Effective
Note the following verses:
Jam 5:16“ Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Mat 6:14-15-“ For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Eph 4:32-“ Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
When we do not forgive the wrong doings of the people, God will also not forgive our sins. Hence we should not have anyone in our lives whom we have not yet forgiven. When we do not forgive a person, it develops as a bitterness in our hearts. The root of bitterness slowly grows and starts to spread into other areas of life. There is a possibility that the person may fail to obtain grace from the Lord. How tragic and dangerous this state is! This is what we read in Hebrews 12:15,“ See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no“ root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled”
Bitterness not only defiles oneself but also affects others. It affects our families and fellowships. How many of our fellowships and families suffer because of the bitterness of one person? Let us learn to forgive, so that our prayers will not be hindered.
4) Reconciliation Builds Relationships
Good relationships within the family are very important. Today we find many infightings in families- Husband and wife; Parents and children and among the in-laws. The Bible has word for all wives, husbands, children, servants and masters.
For Wives Col 3:18-“ Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” 1Pe 3:1-“ Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.”
For Husbands Col 3:19-“ Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.”
Eph 5:28,29-“ In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.”
In many instances the husband and wife live in the same house but would not talk with each other. Let us take steps to reconcile with each other. Let us humble ourselves and take the first step. Don ' t let your ego separate your family.
For Children Col 3:20-“ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
We minister among the young people. We find young people complaining about their parents and, similarly parents complaining about their children. But the Bible encourages the children to obey their parents. Today children are not in a position to obey their parents. And the relationships are broken. Many children don ' t like their parents. They consider their parents to be their enemies. The Bible has a word for the parents as well.
For Parents Col 3:21-“ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” Parents should not always pester their children.
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