On Conflict

Isn't it ironic how Christians can somehow "judge" each other, disapproving of one another's behavior. There is an amazing phenomenon in which we assume that anyone who doesn't share our point of view must be wrong. It is as if we possessed all knowledge --- and had processed all of it accurately! Even more comical is the tendency for us to just keep talking when there is disagreement. It is as if we assume that the reason for the disagreement is that the other party is without a sufficient amount of the information that we ourselves possess. We then assume that if we will just impart more of that information to the opposing party, they will come to their senses and the disagreement will be resolved.

As I study God's Word, I come to realize that these silly notions really just indicate that we have no idea what conflict is really all about. Me? I think rather it might be about sin. That's right, where there is conflict, I tend to assume that sin is the culprit --- because God is not the author of conflict and division. On the contrary, if all parties are equally surrendered to God's will in their lives, then I expect that would be marked by a total absence of unresolved conflicts. I wonder who is right about this.