Kingdom-Minded Conflict

This week, we'll continue our series on citizenship. Since our citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20), our lives are going to look a little odd to the citizens of this world. The worldly point of view doesn't go the extra mile, it doesn't turn the other cheek, and it doesn't think of others before thinking of self.

As Christians, these are all ways that we try to be more Christ-like. We try to react to the situations we are in, in the same way Christ would react. We respond with kindness when people are cruel. We respond with love when people hate. We respond with patience when people attack us. We look to the cross as our guide, our example, and our Lord and Savior.

But kingdom-minded Christains don't only think about how to respond to the world. We also need to think about how to respond to one another with love, kindness, and patience. Past conflicts between Christians have very quickly turned very ugly. Knowing that conflicts will come in the future, we can ask ourselves now how it is that we should respond.

We will have a choice in how we react. This morning, we will look at three options Christians have when dealing with conflict. Whether that conflict is on the inside or coming from outsiders, we need to know when is the time for compromise, when we should submit, and when we should resist. In all these times, we always seek to be more like Jesus in the hope that we might win souls by our conduct (1 Peter 3:1).

I hope you can join us for worship this morning!