The Root of Hostility to Others
A broken relationship with God leads to hostility towards others, but returning to peace and fellowship is possible through recognizing and submitting to God's claim.
Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes that when personal relationships deteriorate, it reflects a deeper issue in one's relationship with God. Rebellion against our Creator is not only unreasonable but also reflects in our treatment of others, as we often mistreat those closest to us. Our inability to bear the image of God in others stems from our own sin, highlighting the violation of the divine image within us. However, by recognizing and submitting to God's claim on our lives, we can find peace and restoration of fellowship.
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When personal relationships break down, it is a sure sign that there is some rift in one's relationship with God. The deeper the rift, the broader will be the effect on the human level. Rebellion against our Creator and Redeemer--against the One who designed us and gives us the breath of life and loves us every minute of every day--is not only unreasonable but outrageous. The sense of outrage will reveal itself in our treatment of others.
We "get at" God by getting at those He has made, especially those whom his providence has placed close to us. We cannot bear the image of God in them, for we cannot bear the ineradicability of that image in our own being. It is a constant reminder of our own sin, which is the violation of the divine image. Without the consciousness of a legitimate claim on our lives, we could not know sin.
To recognize and submit to that claim is to return to peace and fellowship.
"If we claim to be sharing in his life while we walk in the dark, our words and our lives are a lie; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, then we share together a common life, and we are being cleansed from every sin by the blood of Jesus His Son" (l Jn 1:6,7 NEB).
Sermon Outline
- The Root of Hostility to Others
- Rebellion Against God
- Bearing the Image of God
- Returning to Peace and Fellowship
- Rift in Relationship with God
- Effect on Human Level
- Unreasonable and Outrageous
- Treatment of Others
- Inability to Bear the Image
- Reminder of Sin
- Recognizing and Submitting to God's Claim
Key Quotes
“If we claim to be sharing in his life while we walk in the dark, our words and our lives are a lie;” — Elisabeth Elliot
Application Points
- Recognize the rift in your relationship with God and take steps to repair it.
- Submit to God's claim on your life to experience peace and fellowship.
- Walk in the light to be cleansed from sin and share a common life with God.