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Footsteps 68

FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION

Photo: Jim Loring

When we look at our world, we can see much need for forgiveness and reconciliation. Conflict is not just about war and violence. All of us regularly face some level of conflict in our relationships at work or home. Conflict can sometimes be a positive thing, such as when we fight against injustice and stand up for our rights and the rights of others. However, more often conflict is destructive. So much money and time is spent addressing the results of conflict, such as rebuilding houses and infrastructure and providing medical treatment for physical injuries. Yet the psychological wounds and the underlying causes of conflict are rarely dealt with.

In Matthew 6:14, it is clear that God asks us to forgive others, as he has forgiven us. Forgiveness is not a natural reaction when someone has hurt us. It is a choice we need to make if we are to be free of bitterness, and if we want to move forward and break out of the cycle of violence and blame. Forgiveness is essential for reconciliation, but reconciliation goes beyond words, into action, to restore the broken relationship. It is a process that requires the willing participation and commitment of both sides.

Please find below articles from Footsteps issue 68 in html.

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Bible study: ‘Forgive as the Lord forgave you’ Forgiving others is not optional for Christians; it is a command. In Matthew 6:12, Jesus taught us to pray, ‘Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us’. He made it clear that God’s offer of forgiveness is inseparable from our willing... More >>

Case studies: Forgiveness More >>

Editorial When we look at our world, we can see much need for forgiveness and reconciliation. Conflict is not just about war and violence. All of us regularly face some level of conflict in our relationships at work or home. Conflict can sometimes be a positiv... More >>

Forgiveness and reconciliation by Sarah Mirembe Someone who has been offended or deeply hurt will usually feel they have a right to be angry, hurt and bitter. They may even plan to take revenge. In contrast, God asks us to trust him with our pain, trust him for justice, and forg... More >>

Healing through listening by Angus Murray Our beliefs about ourselves, other people and our world help us to make sense of our experiences and the world around us. We build our beliefs through our own experiences or inherit them from our family or culture. Unless challenged... More >>

Learning to resolve conflict by Duberney Rojas Seguro Medellín, in Colombia, is a city in desperate need of conflict resolution. It has suffered from two decades of armed conflict between criminal gangs, socialist guerrillas and paramilitary groups. Murders are common. This c... More >>

Letters Protecting crops from birds We are trying to protect our rice crops from bird pests. Rice is a major crop here. We are finding it very difficult to control and avoid the threat from birds. Farmers are staying in the fields all day to chase away the b... More >>

Malanda: Prayer, action, reconciliation by Sadiki Byombuka There has been war in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1996. This conflict has many different causes, including the fight for political power, struggle for control over natural resources, bad governance, and ethnic and trib... More >>

Marriage relationships Conflict is not just about open warfare. Conflict exists in human relationships at all levels. Family Impact is a Christian organisation that works to transform communities through family and relationship counselling. John and Precious appeared to b... More >>

Peace-building and conflict transformation by Gary Swart True peace is not simply about stopping violence. The peace the Bible speaks of is shalom. Shalom is the restoration and reconciling of our relationships with God, those around us, and with all of creation. It is about bringing people... More >>

Resources Peace-building within our communities This ROOTS book looks at tools for peace-building and conflict transformation work. It contains case studies of peace and reconciliation work in communities. It is available in English, French, Spanish and Portug... More >>

Seeing hope and bringing people together by Bal Kumari Rai Gurung Forgiveness is not as easy to practise as it is to preach, but it is an essential step towards reconciliation and living in harmony. Forgiveness includes letting go of the hurts and resentments we keep within ourselves. For... More >>

Walls of separation by Malcolm P Chisholm Physical distances between people and cultures can now be crossed by aeroplanes, mobile phones and 24-hour television news coverage. But many communities around the world are still divided. Conflict may be open or unseen. Phys... More >>

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