Making it Right With Others

N. T. #48 "Making it Right With Others"

 April 13, 2023

Matthew 5-Part 18

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee: Leave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. (verses 23-24)

LET IT GLOW

People can hold grudges against one for decades. I know a brother and sister that did not speak to each other for 50 years. One did something that hurt the other deeply and there was no apology during all that time. Then one's spouse died and the other came to the funeral and hugged each other. A relationship was severed because of pride. Time was wasted and gone now.

2. Ask forgiveness and forgive others.

Jesus considers our relationships with others important, as well as our relationship with our God. He wants a healthy horizontal relationship between us and others. It is in order to have a healthy vertical relationship, intimate and in fellowship with God, we must maintain our horizontal relationships with others., Make peace with your adversary inasmuch as it depends on you. Be reconciled before he takes legal action or consequences of your dispute become worse. (verses 25-26) (Tony Evans)

 The other way is true. If someone is at odds with us, we are to leave our offering and go and be reconciled with them. Also, if we are at odds with another, we are to go and be reconciled with them.

Reconciled means to change thoroughly; to make different.

Our hearts and minds are to be changed when we talk it out, no matter who is offended. 

LET IT GROW

It is better to be wronged than to allow a dispute between brethren to dishonor Christ. (1 Cor. 6:7)

Jesus calls for reconciliation to be sought eagerly, aggressively, and quickly-even if it involves self-sacrifice. (MacArthur)

We are to do it quickly so we're fit for communion with God. Love is better than burnt offerings and sacrifice. 

Don't let the sun go down on your wrath. Talk it out, express your feelings and thoughts. The other one may not even know they have offended you. 

Forgiveness is hard, I know, but it is commanded of us. Saying we are sorry seems to have gone away from our society. People make excuses for their actions instead of admitting they were wrong. 

LET IT GO 

Is there anyone we are to go to today and make it right?

Please Lord forgive us our sins as we forgive others.

Thank you for mercy!