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Body Building Daily Devotional - 32

by David Joynt on October 13, 2021


EPHESIANS 4:3 | 3 Making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

One of the most famous criteria in the Just War theory is Last Resort. Developed to constrain violence, this ethical calculus considers what causes might justify a conflict, like an act of aggression, and what means could be used to right such a wrong. Ethicists debate about both the casus bellum and the rules “in bello” that should govern behavior in a war. But all agree that every available non-violent option should be exhausted before violence is used.

Paul suggests the same policy! Every effort should be employed to keep relationships peaceful and whole. These might include honest discussions, third party help, compromise, engaged listening, positive disagreement strategies, mutual prayer, and of course, forgiveness when wronged.

Are you quick to give up when there are hard feelings or disagreements?

 

Tags: feelings, give up, disagreements

About the Author
David Joynt

Dave Joynt began his service as a pastor at Valley Presbyterian Church in Paradise Valley, Arizona in September 2014. This meant a move away from the Northeast, where he has a long history, growing up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and then serving congregations in Delaware and New Jersey for a total of 23 years.

Dave was nurtured in a great church in Bethlehem where his parents, Anne and Carey, served as elders. He graduated in classics from Lehigh University where his Father taught, and then from Oxford, where he met his wife Julia. Ordained in 1988, he completed a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1993.

He and Julia have a son, Tristan, and a daughter, Madeleine.

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