Jesus speaks about how to get along with each other. If your brother or sister trespasses against you, go to the person and talk about the fault that is between you in private. If the person receives you and listens to your feelings, then the dispute is settled and you have gained ground in the friendship with that person. In the situation where the person does not receive you, does not want to hear your feelings, or does not agree with you, then take one or two witnesses so that every word can be heard by more than you and the person you are in dispute with. If the situation between you and another person is still not solved, then take it before the church congregation if you both are in the same congregation. If that person still neglects to solve the grievance between you, turn away from that person and acknowledge he or she as a heathen and a publican.



In the case where you have a disagreement with someone and you do not belong to a church congregation in which the matter can be revealed to the church, then take it before the Lord and explain to the Lord how you have tried to make amends with this person, but the person failed to hear you. You must only know in your heart that this person is the same as a heathen and publican and must never take revenge against the person in any way. Now that you have brought the matter to the feet of Jesus, you need just to leave it there and let Jesus decide how to handle this person and the situation.

If you have to face the person every day in your work life or somewhere else, just be congenial and friendly, but realize in your heart, that in the eyes of God he or she is the same as a heathen and a publican, which actually put you in favor and on a higher ground with God. Jesus will decide how to handle your problem. You may find that this person will eventually come to you and things may change dramatically between you, or the Lord may reward you in some other way for obedience to his laws in this particular situation.

I experienced some problems in a congregation of which I practiced the above rules to handle the problem. At this point in time, there is no relationship between myself and those that particular problems arose with. The last I done in the matter was to ?hug? one of them at the end of the service and express delight about the fact that the Holy Ghost taught me she had been delivered from a very long sickness and other torments of trials and temptations. She received me with a smile and a return hug.

With work place grievances, ?a hug? would not be in order, you could be falsely accused of sexual harassment. The devil has a way of trying to turn something good into something evil. However, you can still practice these rules when grievances arise among co-workers. Ask Jesus for ways to practice ?good? in return to those who just do not want to get along with you. You might be surprised at the ideas that will fill your mind. If the situation is just horrible for you and you wait upon the Lord to solve it, you may be delivered to another department or another job.

Jesus says where there are two or three gathered in his name; there he will be in the midst of them. I felt like when I hugged the person I had problems with in a church congregation, Jesus was there with us and looked upon us with a huge smile.

Jesus commands us to forgive other people of offenses not only one time, but seventy times seven times. If we well practice this rule, Jesus will reward us in ways we might not even think of.

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? 2007 Connie Limon. All Rights Reserved