June 21, 2023

“But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.” – Galatians 5:15

Have you ever heard the term “collateral damage”? It refers to the destruction of private property or the death of innocent civilians during a time of war. Collateral damage is the unintended cost that is paid whenever two countries battle one another. History has shown us that this damage is unavoidable and often incredibly devastating. There is only one way to completely avoid collateral damage – don’t go to war. Sadly, as long as we live in a sinful world, we will never be able to completely avoid war. But it should be our desire to reason, negotiate, and forgive as much and as quickly as possible because, if we do decide to fight, innocent people will get hurt.

What is true of countries is also true of individuals. Anytime we decide to fight, there is collateral damage; When parents fight, children get hurt. When church leaders fight, congregants get hurt. When friends fight, their friends get hurt. There is always collateral damage. The truly sad thing is, these battles are, more often than not, avoidable. Most of these battles between individuals do not need to take place and these fights do not need to continue. If you are angry with, intentionally hurting, or refusing to forgive someone right now, then people you love and never intended to harm are getting hurt…oftentimes much more so than the person you are angry with. The only way to stop this collateral damage is to stop the fight. This is why all God’s commands are summed up in this one thing; love your neighbor! (Galatians 5:14)

Almighty God, we understand that if anyone ever had reason to be angry it is You. We have earned nothing but Your wrath and condemnation. However, You have chosen to love us and rescue us despite our dark hearts. Please teach us to love and forgive in this same way.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon