BE RECONCILED!
Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.
First be reconciled to your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:24
It is useless to give offerings to God while you are at odds with someone. Jesus said that His followers should be reconciled with anyone who has something against them. The world seeks reconciliation on limited terms. Christians are to be reconciled, whatever it takes.
Men spat upon Jesus and nailed Him to a cross. His response was our model: “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
You say, “You don’t know how deeply he hurt me! It’s unreasonable to ask me to fix that relationship.” Or, “I tried, but nothing I did seemed to satisfy her.”
Jesus did not include an exception clause for our reconciliation. If the person is an enemy, Jesus said to love him. If he persecutes you, you are to pray for him. If she publicly humiliates you, you are not to retaliate. If someone takes advantage of you, you are to give even more than he asks.
The world tells us to ‘assert ourselves’. Jesus taught us to ‘deny ourselves’. Jesus’ concern was not that His disciples be treated fairly, but that they show unconditional love to others regardless of how they are treated.
If there was ever a command that is constantly disobeyed, it is this mandate to be reconciled. We comfort ourselves with the thought, “God knows that I tried to make things right, but my the person refused to accept it.” God’s word does not say ‘Try to be reconciled’, but ‘Be reconciled’.
If you are struggling with a conflict with another person today, take a moment to reflect upon Matthew 5:24 and pray for God’s guidance as you seek to find a way to make things right and Be Reconciled.
Source “Experiencing God Day-By-Day; The Devotional and Journal”, by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby ©1997. Entry January 17.