Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Luke 17:3

This teaching is identical to what Jesus taught in Matthew, Chapter 18. If we are hurt by someone, it is our personal responsibility to go to the offender and begin the reconciliation process. Take heed!

It has become all too common place for people to quickly go to social media or some other form of gossip to talk about or complain when they have been offended. I have no doubt that many of the circumstances are true, and people have suffered a true hurt. However, presenting our problem to anyone other than the Lord (as David does in the Psalms) or the offending person is not Biblical. Take heed!

We should also notice when we go to the person to rebuke them, it is not in order to start an even larger fight. We are to tell them we are offended so that they have an opportunity to repent. Then, we forgive. The relationship grows stronger. Take heed!

Honestly, I think society as a whole has become overly sensitive with their feelings, and we think much too highly of ourselves. We should prepare ourselves for problems, but not by being ready to fight, but already forgiving. Take heed!

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:2-3

When we forbear someone, we are already forgiving them, before they hurt us, as Christ has forgiven us. Take heed!

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

We need to remember that God forgave us according to how Christ died. We do not forgive others based on whether we think they deserve it or not. We forgive because God forgave us when we were unforgivable! Take heed!

We live in an angry world, but that is not what God designed. Be kind. And, take heed!