Anchor My Faith

Be Reconciled

Scripture: Matthew 5:23-24

In our previous lesson, we looked at the connection between being angry with our brother, insulting our brother, or calling someone a fool, with the act of murder. In this lesson, Jesus takes us one step further, by saying: ^{Mt 5:23} “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Jesus is pressing harder and harder on the importance of the condition of the heart. The Pharisees were more concerned on the external than they were on the internal. Murder was an external act, but Jesus is illustrating that it is the condition of the heart that is acted out in anger against a brother, or insulting him, or even calling him a fool. Jesus now adds the element of worship and how it is affected by a brother who has something against you.

Jesus points out here that reconciliation with the brother who has something against you must take precedence over offering your gift during worship. If the Holy Spirit reminds you that you have wronged a brother, you need to set aside everything else and settle the matter. True worship is not possible if you have done something to offend your brother and have not tried to reconcile. You may go through the acts of worship, but the heart will not truly connect with God. The worship of God will not be acceptable, however well performed externally, until we are at peace with those that we have injured.

Consider your time with the Lord; your devotional time and your time in the Scriptures. Do you go away empty? Is it possible that you have not done what you ought with others? Are you holding improper feelings or refuse to make proper acknowledgments and as a result God will not accept your attempt to worship him?

Prayer

Father, it is difficult to reconcile when we have wronged a person. Not reconciling, however, provides an opportunity for the devil to impact our lives in a negative way for as long as we resist. As our words and actions hurt others we also hurt our relationship with God. Maybe it is time for us to consider the darkness that is forming within our hearts and apply what Jesus is teaching in this lesson.