No wonder we don't fellowship with the love of the disciples today. Even Jesus said "if we have anything against a brother, we should go and be reconciled again to that brother, before bringing our gifts and sacrifices to the altar" (Matthew 5:24). Yes, this means that we shouldn't even come before the Lord at all, if we have anything against a brother.

This means letting go of our pride, or anything that we have in us, and going to that brother, and seeking reconciliation.

Hard? It's one of the hardest thing to do, and only the weakest (read "strongest") of Christians will ever accomplish this. Of course, if a Christian does so (I believe if a Christian is really convicted by the Holy Spirit she/he will.) we should promptly promptly forgive them, as the parable of the Prodigal Son explains. (And some Christians will be blind to the fact that the parable doesn't just apply to the relationship in between the Father and His children, but it also applies to those whom consider themselves part of the body of Christ as well). If a Christian is humble enough to come to us and ask for forgiveness, then we best see that humbleness, because to them it may not have come easily.

We often fail to see with our spiritual eyes...we actually see in quite the opposite way: when someone hurts us deeply, the way of the flesh tells us to turn our head, and think and say "I want nothing to do with you at all". But is this Christ-like?

If we ask God to forgive those that have hurt us, then shouldn't we also be ready to forgive them ourselves?" Jesus surely forgave them! Yet, as a Christian, when we do turn our heads, we should come face to face with Jesus on the cross, asking the Father "Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do!" (Luke 23:34)

The prostitute that Jesus forgave...she wasn't perfect, at that crucial, life-saving, life-changing point in her life, both Jesus and the woman herself knew it. But Jesus forgave her...would He forgive her again, if she would sin again? Jesus himself answers that when He tells the disciples "I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:22)

In other words, we may have a certain sin that we are dealing with. Some sins are harder than others to overcome. But as long as we keep trying, and keep striving to overcome that sin, Jesus will always forgive us. The only sin will not be forgiven, is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. And in order to really accomplish blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, we really have to know what we are doing.

So if Jesus forgive us we also should forgive one another with unrestrained liberty.
This not only goes for Christians who have wronged Christians, but Christians who have something against those who are not Christians.

Note this:

Our total forgiveness against someone that has hurt us will never be seen by the Lord if we should gain the attitude "I forgive them, but that doesn't mean I have to fellowship with them." This comes out of nothing more than self-centered anger towards that person, and not coming forth of the Holy Spirit at all.

Also, not willing to go back to the person that has hurt you will void the words of Jesus who said "turn the other cheek". Not only this, but that person may carry a lifelong guilt not knowing if you forgave them or not. This is not unity in the body of Christ...it's actually gloating, judgment, and causing someone to suffer. God is not to be pleased in such a case.

There is always a chance that the offending party will repent. Even if you decide to go your separate ways; go in peace, and don't pay back evil for evil to anyone. Remember, always that the person whom you accuse has just a good chance of getting into heaven as you.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:13). Realize, this isn't John the Baptist speaking...nor any of the prophets....This is James, one of the disciples of Christ...of those who fled when Jesus was betrayed.

As a final note...remember after all the hurt and damage is done, every Christian alive today stands ready like a fireman on damage control...it's not up to God to repair the damage...that's what He put us here for, that's our job, and our duty. If we truly fail in forgiving one another, then haven't we really let the fire burn out of control? The love of God will always overshadow the wrath of God.