A major story in the news recently is the presumed death of the Russian mercenary warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin of the Wagner Group and his deputy, Dmitry Utkin. The Wagner Group is a mercenary organization of soldiers and convicts who fought in Ukraine on the side of the Russians. They were instrumental in some of the key Russian victories in that theater of war and have also been vital to the Russian government's efforts to increase its influence on the African continent. The Wagner Group, a mixture of military and business ventures, was once very important to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
President Putin and Prigozhin had been very close since the early 1990s, but they eventually had a falling out. On June 23, 2023, the Wagner Group staged a rebellion after a period of increased tension between the Russian Ministry of Defense and Prigozhin. Putin called it "a stab in the back" and labeled the Wagner leadership as traitors. Though a deal was eventually brokered and the Wagner Group abandoned their "march on Moscow," experts cautioned that Putin is not a man who forgives those who have wronged him.
According to many Russian political experts, Putin is a vindictive man. He has stated that the one thing he cannot forgive is treachery, and he accused Prigozhin of treason. The question on many minds was not if, but when Putin would "cut off" Prigozhin. The answer seemingly came this past Wednesday when a plane carrying Prigozhin and other top Wagner leaders crashed in Russia. Many point the finger at Putin, believing he finally "cut off" his former friend as many expected. In Russia, many who cross Putin end up "cut off" in some way—thrown from windows, poisoned, or arrested. Putin does not seem to believe in forgiveness or reconciliation.
Putin’s behavior is predictable for a man focused on earthly power. To the ungodly, forgiveness and reconciliation are often viewed as signs of weakness. Tragically, many Christians in the church act no differently than Vladimir Putin. They believe in "cutting off" anyone from their lives who wrongs them. When we cut people out of our lives over minor grievances, we are, in essence, doing exactly what Putin does. Cutting someone off is equivalent to killing the relationship. In fact, God uses the phrase "cut off" in the Bible to imply the death of a person who persisted in gross transgression against Him. Yet, we know that God is fundamentally merciful.
God is merciful, but we often are not. Many Christians are quick to cut one another off for the silliest things. We had a misunderstanding, so I cut you off. We had an argument; I cut you off. You said something wrong about me; I cut you off. We see certain doctrines differently; I cut you off. These minor issues lead to the breakup of Christian relationships, ministries, and churches. We claim to be loving followers of God while we go around "permanently removing" our spiritual neighbors just as Putin removes his political enemies. At least Putin’s enemies might threaten his life; we cut people off simply because they "threaten our mental health."
How pitiful have we become? I praise the Lord that many of us do not have Putin's level of power. Can you imagine how many people we would destroy if we did? "Cutting people off" for trivial reasons is, in principle, no different than what tyrants do. But I am here to tell you today that God has not called us to a "ministry of cutting off," but to the ministry of reconciliation. God wants to reveal His love to the human race through us. What did God do when we sinned against Him? Did He cut us off? No! He sent His Son to reconcile us to Himself.
"Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." (Matthew 5:23-24)
Jesus is saying that if I have an issue with someone and I do not even try to reconcile, God will not hear my prayers. There are many "little Putins" in the church today, cutting people off for every slight while still expecting to go to heaven. Vladimir Putin himself claims to be an Orthodox Christian, yet his behavior tells a different story.
A true Christian may appear "insane" or like a "doormat" to the world because they do everything in their power to make peace. The Bible says to talk to your brother privately, then bring witnesses, then the church. If he still refuses, treat him like a "publican"—meaning, do not harass him if he doesn't want to reconcile, but keep praying that the Lord will change his heart. A Christian who loves their enemies and dies to "self" in order to reconcile is displaying the character of Jesus.
Friends, we are all imperfect. Mistakes will happen, and we will wrong one another. But let us not be vindictive. Let us be like Jesus and seek to reconcile. If the other person refuses, do not force them, but do not stop praying for them. Engage in the ministry of reconciliation and make peace as much as it is possible. Many relationships would be healed if we simply put pride aside.
Lord, help me to be like You. Help me to seek reconciliation with anyone I have wronged or who has wronged me. Help me reveal Your character of love. Friends, if you have a problem with anyone today, do not let the sun go down until you have sought peace. Remember, without a heart for reconciliation, your offering to God is meaningless. You may look "insane" to the world, but to Jesus, you are a child of God.
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