It Takes One

IT TAKES ONE

There’s a wise but simple saying: “It takes two to make a fight.”

It takes two who blame the other, neither seeking to do right.

It takes two who point at something that the other’s said or done,

As if that misdeed would justify a misdeed of his own.

It takes two who live as though they think a wrong can be excused,

If the other of a greater wrong than his can be accused.

It takes two who are determined to retaliate “in kind,”

Giving evil back for evil, seeking every fault to find.

It takes two who have forgotten that there is a Godly way

To respond to the unkindness in what others do and say.

It takes two who would forget that peace with God is what’s at stake,

Two who’d rather make a point than pass it by for Jesus’ sake.

Yet there’s hope for two such people, if they take God at His Word—

For although a fight takes two, it takes just one to seek the Lord!

It takes one who can remember how he knelt at Jesus’ feet

And was granted full forgiveness through God’s grace and mercy sweet.

It takes one who will acknowledge that the Lord has faithful been

In the face of his own constant, selfish, oft-repeated sin.

It takes one who sees the other’s faults, then turns his eyes above,

With an earnest prayer that his response will show God’s changeless love.

It takes one who will determine that there’s nothing that is worth

Losing fellowship with Jesus Christ, the dearest friend on earth.

It takes one who dies to all desires except to do what’s right—

If there’s one who seeks the Lord, there won’t be two to make a fight!

May God’s gracious love encourage and inspire you!

Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:21-35

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32