09/03/2021
SETTLEMENT
Key Bible quote (reference) : Romans chapter 13 vs 7
7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Settlement means to resolve an issue and it could also mean to give to people what they truly deserve. In the definition here in, I'll say that settlement is in two phases
Settlement with God.
Settlement with man.
Now the questions are:
How can we settle with God and man?
How will the settlement with man and God go together without clashing?
For these questions to be answered , we need to have clear understanding of both. Our God is an awesome God but we should not overlook the fact that He has principles and expectations for us all. I'll make reference to Luke chapter 19 Parable of the Pounds.
12He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
In this parable, it shows that God is concerned with our accountability. He wants us to do whatever we do in His presence diligently. There are rewards if we have fulfilled our settlements with Him. Now there are so called Intruders... Which could include interpersonal relationships(unhealthy), ambiguous goals, aims, desire, lust, longing and many others. Many times we want to satisfy kinship and people around us. God does not have any problem with this, but when we make these things important THAN our schedules and the services we render to God, it may cause Him to frown at us.
Jesus was asked if it is right to obey the government and He told them, to give to God what belong to God and to Caeser what belongs to Caesar. God is not against your plans for the future, your ambition, your parties, respect for the authority and also elders. But the problem is when you start allowing those things to affect your spiritual stand, your position before God. There have to be a settlement and an equilibrium
Matthew chapter 22 vs 15-21
15Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not? 18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21They say unto him, Cæsar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
Likewise if anyone offend us. We shouldn't hesitate to let him or her know, that it may be settled. And forgiveness as well
We shouldn't expect God to forgive our transgressions while we are holding grudge against a fellow human being. These are the ways to balance the equilibrium between settlement with God and man.
May the Almighty give us the grace to settle things Amically among ourselves and before God. Amen
ITS ALL WELL
Shared by Sister Itunnuoluwa Olayeye