Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Remember – Matthew 5:23-24 – Be Reconciled To Your Brother – Growing As Disciples
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)
Against You
Are you serious? What do you mean by asking me if I am serious? Am I serious about what? I know that I must be reconciled with the people in my life. I know that I can’t hold anger, bitterness, resentment or anything like that against them. That’s right. You want me to forgive others just as I have been forgiven. That is also correct. Holding on to anger, bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness will only serve to harm me. I can’t let anything like this come between you and I. No you cannot. I want to be able to freely worship you with nothing coming between us. That is very good. You still haven’t answered my question. Am I serious about what? I’m coming to that. Your word seems to say that I have to go and be reconciled with anyone who has anything against me. What if I don’t have anything against them? What if they have something against me and it’s one hundred percent their fault. Does that seem likely to you? Maybe not. What are the chances that someone has something against you and you don’t know about it? There is almost no chance of that. I would have to be pretty dense not to know that someone was holding something against me. What are the chances that you are one hundred percent free of any fault when someone is holding something against you? There is probably even less chance of that. You have probably done something to offend them even if it was not intended or it may have even been an accident. Maybe you have a bad habit that you are completely unaware of. That’s right, that’s very possible. But, isn’t it even more likely that you also are holding something against someone that is holding something against you? Yes, I suppose so. So, there is probably a mutual need for you to give and receive forgiveness when someone is holding something against you. I’m sure that’s true. So, in answer to your question. Yes, I am very serious. If someone is holding something against you, I want you to go and be reconciled to them. Think of it as a ministry that I have given to you. In the unlikely event that you have no fault in the matter you would still be helping to release another person from the bondage of anger, bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness. Will you go and be reconciled to anyone that holds anything against you? Yes, Lord, I will.
Lord, I don’t want anything to hinder my fellowship with you. I want to worship you with my entire being. I know it is crazy to think I can have broken relationships with other people and have an unhindered relationship with you. Help me to reconcile with others. Amen
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