From Fisticuffs to Forgiveness

For several months the problem had been festering.  Yusef had been making negative comments about Ibrahim, another brother who was occasionally given opportunity to preach, judging Ibrahim to regard himself as more spiritual than others in the group. Occasionally Yusef would make pointed or hurtful remarks in his presence. 

One evening, following Bible study, something was said and Ibrahim responded by throwing a few punches. Their conflict was now public knowledge. 

Jesus teaches the need to ‘go and be reconciled with your brother’ but I had learned from previous experience that this cannot be rushed.  They first needed to individually seek God for forgiveness and grace towards the other.   

In the days that followed I spoke with both men separately.   

Yusef is slow to recognise where he has gone wrong in all of this.  He is convinced that his earlier judgment is valid – after all, Ibrahim has just proved by his behaviour that he is not a good example!  He knows that he needs to forgive his brother, yet feels he is owed an apology.  God had a work to do in his heart. 

Ibrahim is broken by his sin. He knows that hitting back is not the Jesus way.  How could he have fallen into this trap? He needs to receive God’s forgiveness and he knows that he must also extend that forgiveness to Yusef. 

We spoke about the fact that as the older, more experienced Christian he maybe needed to be the first to apologise for his behaviour.  At this, his response was ‘You are asking too much of me!’  To take the first step towards reconciliation was to put himself in the lower position ... maybe there was a degree of truth in those accusations of pride after all? 

I gently explained that I was asking nothing of him – simply pointing out what Jesus asked of us all.  

As I watched the light comes on in his heart and mind I knew that he would find strength to make that first move.  All I needed to do was sit back and pray for both men. God would do his work.  

A couple of months later I watched as these two men stood together before God, arms round each other’s shoulders, heads bowed in prayer.  

Forgiveness has been received and extended one to the other.

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