Matthew 5
"So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." - Matthew 5:23-24
Jesus is teaching the disciples on a mountain, with crowds all around (v. 1). This is the famous Sermon on the Mount. There is so much content in this chapter, it is difficult to choose one verse to focus on. The verse I have chosen has to do with reconciliation. Jesus is saying we must not offer a gift to God when we are out of fellowship with a brother or sister. First, we need to attempt to be reconciled with our brother or sister. Only then is our gift acceptable at God's altar.
There is one brother in one of the churches we are a part of with whom I would like to be reconciled. He believes I need to ask him for forgiveness for a decision I made in the past. I believe the decision I made was the right one at the time, and I would make the same decision today. So I don't believe I need to ask for forgiveness. However, for the unity of the church and for the spiritual health of this brother, I do want to be reconciled with him, to the extent he allows that. So next time I see him, probably at church, I want to speak with him privately and let him know I care about him. I also want to listen to his point of view.
Father, may you help my brother and I be reconciled, so that we can be in fellowship with one another and with you. Help us both to grow to become more like Jesus. In his name, amen.
- Jeff Coleman