Walking in Reconciliation: Hatred, Anger, Resentment

Jesus isn’t just after our behavior, He’s after our hearts. In the Sermon on the Mount, He takes the Law beyond “Do not murder” and gets to the root of the issue—anger, resentment, and broken relationships. He shows us that the Kingdom way isn’t just about avoiding sin; it’s about confronting what’s beneath the surface before it destroys us and the people around us. 

Unresolved anger? It festers. Distance in a relationship? It grows. Jesus’ teaching on reconciliation isn’t a suggestion because our relationships reflect the reality of His Kingdom, and when we let anger take root, we stop living in the freedom He calls us to.

So the question is—where is Jesus nudging you? Is there someone who “has something against you”? A wound that’s still open? A rift you’ve justified avoiding? Walking the Kingdom way means dealing with it—not in our own strength, but through His Spirit. 

Let’s not just hear His words; let’s put them into practice. Because reconciliation isn’t just something we do—it’s who we are as Kingdom people. 

Why We Pursue Reconciliation

Key Takeaways from Ryan’s Teaching

1. We go because it’s what Jesus did. God didn’t wait for us to fix ourselves—He came to us. While we were still rejecting Him, He pursued us in love (John 3:16). Heaven celebrates when even one person turns back (Luke 15:7), and we reflect Jesus most when we seek restoration, not retaliation.
   
2. We go because we’re not Pharisees. It’s easy to excuse ourselves—“I didn’t mean it,” “They misunderstood,” or “It’s their fault.” But Jesus calls us higher. Pharisees hid behind technicalities while relationships crumbled. When we pursue reconciliation, we step into the healing work He’s already doing.
   
3. We go because we’ve been forgiven. Jesus made it clear—forgive as you’ve been forgiven (Matthew 18:21-35). We’ve received a mercy we could never earn, so how can we withhold grace from others? Reconciliation isn’t just a nice idea—it’s the natural overflow of a heart transformed by His mercy (Matthew 10:8).