Christian Conciliation Principles What principles will I be expected to follow during Christian conciliation?
Christian conciliation promotes traditional Judeo-Christian values and principles that are an essential part of our common
law and promote healthy relationships and the proper functioning of society. For example, if you submit a case to conciliation
you will be encouraged to:
Be honest: Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor (Eph. 4:25).
Do what is just and merciful: And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with your God (Mic. 6:8).
Accept responsibility for your actions and admit your wrongs: First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you
will see clearly enough to remove the speck from your brother's eye (Matt. 7:5).
Keep your word: Simply let your "yes" be "yes," and your "no" be "no" (Matt. 5:37).
Be concerned about the interests of others: Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the
interests of others (Phil. 2:4).
Listen carefully to what others say: He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame (Prov. 18:13).
Overlook minor offenses: A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense (Prov. 19:11).
Confront others constructively: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful
for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Eph. 4:29).
Be open to forgiveness and reconciliation: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as
in Christ God forgave you (Eph. 4:32).
Change harmful attitudes and behavior: He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces
them finds mercy (Prov. 28:13).
Make restitution for any damage you have caused: If a man uncovers a pit or digs one and fails to cover it and an
ox or a donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit must pay for the loss (Ex. 21:33-34).
In other words, if you use Christian conciliation, you will be encouraged to follow the rule that God has given to govern
relations between all people:
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matt.
7:12).
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Reprinted or adapted from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict, Ken Sande (Baker Books,
2nd ed. 1997). Peacemaker Ministries (www.HisPeace.org)
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