Grace filled conversations lead to
Christ honoring reconciliations and
open up the path and possibility of
restoration.
The Biblical Conciliation Distinctive
Faith-based approach to conflict resolution grounded in the principles of the Bible.
Dependent upon Jesus Christ as the source of genuine and sincere peace among people. All
this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of
reconciliation that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins
against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore
Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on
Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in
him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor. 5:18-20
Responsibility of the Church and Christians to resolve their conflicts in accordance with
Scripture and among one another not a task exclusively assigned to lawyers, arbitrators, or
other professionals. When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law
before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the
world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you
not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So
if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church?
I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a
dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before
unbelievers? 1 Corinthians 4:1-6
Biblical counsel – most conflicts are rooted in conflicting desires, and desires are generated in
the heart. Therefore, the path to resolution beings in finding one’s fulfillment in Christ,
understand, confess and repent of sinful behavior that may have contributed to the current
situation, and seek genuine reconciliation with one another. I myself am convinced, my brothers
and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to
instruct one another. Romans 15:14
Scripture’s sufficiency for all aspects of life and His Word provides guidance, direction, and
application for every conflict, from minor squabbles between siblings to significant church-wide
battles. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every
good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Fundamental principles underlying the conciliation process
Honesty – The participants are expected to speak and share truthfully. You shall not bear false
witness against your neighbor Exodus 20:16
Personal Responsibility – The participants are expected to take responsibility for their own
behavior, actions, and words, no matter how insignificant or minor. Whoever conceals his
transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Proverbs 28:13
Respect – The participants are expected to treat each other as image bearers of Christ which
are worthy of respect and honor. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God
he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
Willingness to look at motives – The participant are expected to contemplate the motivation
behind the desires that is causing the fracture in the relationship. What causes quarrels and
what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are you at war within you? You
desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.
You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you
ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. James 4:1-3
Humility – The participants are expected to exhibit humility, willing to consider other’s needs
above one’s own. Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him
show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition
in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down
from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial
and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:13-18