“God’s heart is for reconciliation. Is mine?”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 6, 2026
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'” Matthew 18:21-22
I recall a lesson on conflict when my husband and I were doing pre-marriage counseling years ago. The instructor said people respond to conflict in two ways: as turtles or rhinoceroses. The turtles – those of us who can’t abide confrontation – simply hide away in their shells and wait for the storm to blow over, while the rhino-types plunge in with horns ready to bowl over their opponent with the sheer strength of their rightness.
Whichever animal type you relate to, one thing is for certain: conflict is inevitable. You may bend over backwards to keep the peace and avoid confrontation at all costs, and yet at some point still find yourself in the middle of a drama you never asked for. The question is, what do we do when the storms of confrontation blow in and someone offends us or besieges our carefully crafted fortress of peace?
Contemporary wisdom based on victim-mentality would advise us to cut off the offending friend or family member. You don’t need him or her; just make a clean break to protect yourself from further hurt. The other common advice given even from Christian platforms is to forgive because it will make you, the victim, feel so much better. Just think how magnanimous you will feel when you’ve pardoned the lowly sinner for his or her trespasses against you.
But how does God say we ought to respond when we have fallen out with another, and why? Jesus could not be clearer on the subject in his very direct answer to Peter. You forgive and move forward. Why? Because reconciliation is worth the effort. Yes, it will require time, emotional investment, and humility. The process will be difficult, messy, and painful. But the reward of all that effort and commitment – a reinstated brother or sister in Christ and restored fellowship – is so precious, it will be worth every painful step it took to get there. But we don’t forgive in order to treat ourselves to a “holier-than-thou” kick. In the parable of the unforgiving servant, which Jesus told immediately following his response to Peter, he makes it clear that we forgive because we have been lavished with forgiveness. We are each of us a sinner among sinners, and as such, we will have misunderstandings and fail one another just as we have all failed our God. But praise the Lord that his heart is for reconciliation, so much so that he considered it worth the cross!
Prayer
Lord, when my pride is wounded by another, help me to have the humility to remember that I am a sinner forgiven by you and reconciled by your blood shed for me on the cross. Help me to pursue reconciliation because it is your heart’s desire. Amen.
Application
When faced with confrontation, make it a habit not to respond until you have gone before the Lord and asked him for humility to seek reconciliation by his power. He can redeem the situation for greater good than you can imagine.
Related Reading
Matthew 5:24, 18:21-22; Mark 11:25; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Colossians 3:13
Worship Resource
Matt Papa: His Mercy Is More
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