“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there
remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there
before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and
offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going
with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge
to the guard, and you be put in prison.” (Matthew 5:23-25 ESV). The command of
Jesus before us is, “Be reconciled.”
A person has brought their gift before the alter to offer a sacrifice
and then remembers being out of fellowship with a brother. Jesus makes it clear
that it is more important to leave the sacrifice unfinished and try to
reconcile with the brother. Paul also points out the importance of living
peaceably with one another: “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do
what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on
you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to
the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay,
says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; . . ." Do not be overcome
by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21 ESV).
Prayer
Father, because of our sinful nature it is so easy to live
for self and overlook the rights and needs of others and allow a breach to develop
in relationships. Father, help me look not only to my own interests, but also
to the interests of others, especially those of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:4,
21 ESV) and when I offend another, encourage me to mend the relationship by
seeking forgiveness.
See "The Commands of
Jesus" Index to view other commands.
No comments:
Post a Comment