Matthew 5:23-24
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Forgiving others is one thing, but asking forgiveness from others, risking the chance it might not be granted, is quite another. Jesus makes it even tougher here when He tells us to be "reconciled to them". A dictionary definition of "reconcile" is to "win one over with friendliness, to settle, or to bring into agreement or harmony". It's not just an "I'm sorry for (fill in the blank). Will you forgive me?", although that's the right place to start. It's going the extra mile with them, doing all in our power to mend the breach in the relationship, listening, without interrupting, to their side of the story so we can truly know how our words or actions affected them, and, once comprehending, vow not to let that transgression happen again.
Jesus tells us is isn't enough to talk the talk; we need to walk the walk. The commandments to love God and our neighbors as ourselves cannot be severed from one another. When we are a odds with a spouse, a friend, a relative, a co-worker, it's not possible, no matter what we may imagine, to fully worship God at home or in church or participate in Holy Communion without feeling those pangs of guilt about what we have done or left undone with regard to the person we harmed in some way. We have sinned, we must acknowledge this sin, and know it separates us from the love of God. I don't think being separated from God's love is a place any of us want to be!
Is there someone in your life today who needs an apology from you? Someone, with whom and for whom, reconciliation is only a step away? Be of good courage! Have faith! If you let Him, Jesus will show you how to make amends while your offering stays at the altar. He will show you how to walk the walk.
Readings
Psalms 80 or 77 (79)
2 Kings 5:1-19
1 Corinthians 4:8-21
Matthew 5:21-26
Nice one again....wish this was easy....I do have some differences with my brother, the more we try to reconcile....the more he pushes us away.
ReplyDeleteAlways easy to forget this teaching...thanks for the reminder, Martha.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning, Martha:
ReplyDeleteForgiveness is the balm of life. If you can forgive any slights toward you, then you should practice what you preach. When someone comes to you and seeks forgiveness you should accept the apology and move on.
It only makes sense.
Good stuff, Martha!
--
Chris
Great post Martha, absolutely spot on. You put across the meaning of the verse in just the right way and showed how living out our faith is so very important!!! Thank you
ReplyDeleteForgiveness is the challenge of my life! Great post Martha!!
ReplyDeleteIf I cannot forgive myself with sincerity first how can I forgive others with sincerity...
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder Martha
Thanks to all of you who stopped by today. Your support and encouragement mean so much!
ReplyDeleteForgiveness is never easy, but it is a must!
Blessings, everyone!
The high road is to take the humble seat and be the one who reaches out in reconciliation. Whether the offended returns the kindness or not matters less than our gestures of reconciliation. Love this often overlooked message ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debra! Yes, our gesture of reconciliation is crucial to our spiritual and emotional health.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
You're on a roll, sister!! Am enjoying your blogs daily and agreeing and nodding while reading them!! Praise God and keep pouring out the Word...the Word is what transforms! Glory to Jesus the King!
ReplyDelete