Abram and Lot had a problem. Conflict was growing between their herdsmen. Both men were wealthy, and had many animals, so they were competing for the resources of the land.
Conflict that is allowed to stew is trouble. Family members have refused to talk to each other for years over conflict around things much smaller than whole herds of animals. Unresolved conflict sucks the joy out of life and casts a shadow on each day.
Fortunately for Abram and Lot there was a relatively simple solution. There was a lot of land before them and they had to put some space between them. However, someone had to suggest it. Abram displayed his love for Lot and his desire for peace when he offered Lot the opportunity to choose which direction he’d like to go.
In Matthew 5, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Sons of God.”
God desires unity in His family. In John 17, Jesus prayed that His disciples would be “one” as He and the Father are “one.” In Romans 12, God’s people are compared to a body with many parts, yet being but one body. In Ephesians 4 we are urged to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
However, we all have “herds” and possessions that sometimes get in the way of unity and peace. I’m not just talking about the homes and property we own and sometimes guard jealously. I’m talking about positions that we’ve staked out, pride, influence, and our reputations. In each of these our sin has a way of clouding our judgment and influencing us to break our unity and to destroy our peace. (And I am in no way claiming innocence in this, magnificent hypocrite though I may be!)
One of the first steps in restoring unity is recognizing that it is broken. Very rarely does a feud fire up and cause people to go their separate ways. Normally, there was already brokenness there, which if it had been addressed before may have avoided the flare up. It’s an uncomfortable thing, even risky sometimes, to acknowledge conflict. At times it seems more convenient to just sweep it under the rug and pretend it doesn’t exist. It took courage for Abram to speak to Lot and suggest that they go in different directions. What would Lot do? Would he be angry? Would he feel that Abram was disowning him? Would Lot feel that Abram was kicking him out of the family? In the end, the confrontation allowed both men to flourish. It also allowed both of them to be at peace with one another and to love one another.
I’ll be blunt. Conflict stinks. It hurts. And no one wants to deal with it. That’s all due to our sin. However, we have been called out of our sin, forgiven and blessed with a new life. In that new life we can overcome conflict and sin. There can be reconciliation and bonds of love and peace can be restored. After all, that is what Jesus did for us; reconciled us to God through his blood.
Father in Heaven, Your mercies are new every morning and You are love! I have to admit that I have not always lived in Your mercy or upheld the unity You desire for Your children. Help me to know how profound my reconciliation is to You, and then help me be a peacemaker in this world, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Conflict that is allowed to stew is trouble. Family members have refused to talk to each other for years over conflict around things much smaller than whole herds of animals. Unresolved conflict sucks the joy out of life and casts a shadow on each day.
Fortunately for Abram and Lot there was a relatively simple solution. There was a lot of land before them and they had to put some space between them. However, someone had to suggest it. Abram displayed his love for Lot and his desire for peace when he offered Lot the opportunity to choose which direction he’d like to go.
In Matthew 5, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Sons of God.”
God desires unity in His family. In John 17, Jesus prayed that His disciples would be “one” as He and the Father are “one.” In Romans 12, God’s people are compared to a body with many parts, yet being but one body. In Ephesians 4 we are urged to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
However, we all have “herds” and possessions that sometimes get in the way of unity and peace. I’m not just talking about the homes and property we own and sometimes guard jealously. I’m talking about positions that we’ve staked out, pride, influence, and our reputations. In each of these our sin has a way of clouding our judgment and influencing us to break our unity and to destroy our peace. (And I am in no way claiming innocence in this, magnificent hypocrite though I may be!)
One of the first steps in restoring unity is recognizing that it is broken. Very rarely does a feud fire up and cause people to go their separate ways. Normally, there was already brokenness there, which if it had been addressed before may have avoided the flare up. It’s an uncomfortable thing, even risky sometimes, to acknowledge conflict. At times it seems more convenient to just sweep it under the rug and pretend it doesn’t exist. It took courage for Abram to speak to Lot and suggest that they go in different directions. What would Lot do? Would he be angry? Would he feel that Abram was disowning him? Would Lot feel that Abram was kicking him out of the family? In the end, the confrontation allowed both men to flourish. It also allowed both of them to be at peace with one another and to love one another.
I’ll be blunt. Conflict stinks. It hurts. And no one wants to deal with it. That’s all due to our sin. However, we have been called out of our sin, forgiven and blessed with a new life. In that new life we can overcome conflict and sin. There can be reconciliation and bonds of love and peace can be restored. After all, that is what Jesus did for us; reconciled us to God through his blood.
Father in Heaven, Your mercies are new every morning and You are love! I have to admit that I have not always lived in Your mercy or upheld the unity You desire for Your children. Help me to know how profound my reconciliation is to You, and then help me be a peacemaker in this world, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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