Gods basic principles are laws that cannot be
broken. They include moral laws as well as natural laws. They are
eternal. They do not change. When they are violated, there is a
consequence. Gods plan is that we be at peace with our fellow man, so
lets examine a few of these principles that can
help bring about peaceful relationships:
Principle: |
Reference: |
LOVE
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1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
"Love is patient, love is
kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily
angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices
with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
always perseveres. Love never fails."
Love is the umbrella principle that covers all other
principles. As you can see, it is an action
not an emotion.
We can only receive this in our hearts through being connected
to Jesus. It does not come naturally.
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FORGIVENESS
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Ephesians 4:21
"Be kind and compassionate to one
another, forgiving one another, just as in Christ God forgave you."
We are to forgive
regardless of anothers attitude. This ability comes only through being connected to Jesus. It does not come naturally.
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RESPECT
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Matthew 7:12
"In everything, do to others what
you would have them do to you, for
this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
This ability comes only
from a heart connected to Jesus. It does not come naturally!
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RECONCILIATION
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2 Corinthians 5:18-19
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and
give us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting mens sins against them.
And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation."
Choosing not to hold
someones sins against him is a gift we receive as we are connected
with Jesus. It must come from the heart. It does not come naturally.
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JUDGMENT
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Matthew 7:1, 5
"Do not judge lest you be judged.
first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your
brothers eye."
Examining ourselves before
confronting others is an ability that comes through connection with Jesus Christ. People tend to justify self.
Self-confrontation or examination does not come naturally.
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RESTORATION
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Lamentations 5:21
"Restore us to Thee, O Lord, that
we may be restored; renew our days as of old
."
Our prayer and desire
should always be for relationships to be restored. It is possible
as we let
our hearts be renewed by the spirit and power of our connection with
Jesus.
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