when wronged

What do we do when wronged? How do we respond and why? Often when we perceive that we’ve been sinned against or wronged, we experience the wrong as an attack on us in some way: on our character, our ability, on what we did or said, our lives or work.

In Jesus we have no other choice except to forgive the wrongdoer from the heart. We do so because we have been forgiven in Jesus, and so that we will be forgiven–both. And we do so leaving the matter in God’s hands. We seek to love our enemy, or the one who has hurt us. If they are a professing brother or sister in Jesus we desire reconciliation with them. But if not, we still would want reconciliation for them. First with God as well as with ourselves.

Of course love does cover over a multitude of sins. However when fellowship with one in Jesus is broken off, the goal needs to be reconciliation no less. Otherwise we are not living out what we are in Jesus. When we refuse to be reconciled, or to work toward reconciliation with one we perceive to be an erring brother or sister in Jesus, then we’re living in denial of the gospel.

Whatever the issue, it needs to be out on the table. Often we will find that we have made the matter more serious than it actually is, maybe both parties have. However something not that serious will become serious over time, if we don’t deal with it.

Maybe if we can agree to it, a trusted spiritual person, or persons can come alongside and help. In fact at times this may be needed. And often there will be needed repentance and change on both sides.

One thing is for certain: such a broken fellowship is not God’s will in Jesus. It is living in denial of the reality of Christ’s Body. It is living in denial of the reconciling work of God in Jesus. It is a rejection of God’s grace.

Until we deal with such matters we will not be living in the fullness of the salvation that is ours in Jesus. But we can only do so much. We can often do much more than what we are doing. Acts and words of grace to the other. In humility. But sometimes we can do nothing but pray. Which of course is what we should be doing no matter what.

Our lives must proclaim the gospel as well as our words so that the world may know that we are in Jesus, and that Jesus is the Salvation the world needs.

Note: This post could have been entitled, “when wronged, or when we’ve done wrong”–something to that effect. I also know there are matters which are so serious in nature as to require more than what is stated here. However these basics in general should never be abandoned.