Time to forgive
So if you are about to offer your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother. Then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)
Don’t wait until it is too late to say, “I sorry!” or “I forgive you!”
The words of this text remind me of the first congregation I served. There were two elderly brothers in their 80s. They hadn’t talked to each other for years. They had had a falling out many years ago. One of the brothers died suddenly before they reconciled. This was very sad.
I was never able to find out what had caused their differences or dispute. Usually when there are serious differences between siblings, words like jealousy, envy, covetousness or pride are at the bottom of the dispute.
Let us be honest with ourselves, because of our sinfulness we have feelings that have separated us from each other. We get angry or upset and say things that are hurtful and then regret what we have said or done.
In our verse, Jesus reminds us of what we should do when we let sin get the best of us, “Be reconciled.” When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus reminds us to do this often. We pray, “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”
Never forget what Jesus has done for us. He has reconciled us to God our Father. By faith in Jesus, we are wearing his righteousness and we stand forgiven. May that forgiveness that Jesus gives, motivate us to be forgiving to those who have hurt us or to those we have hurt. Remember we are children of the heavenly Father, so let’s act that way.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, motivate me with your love to help me be forgiving toward those who hurt me with words or actions. Help me to live as a child of God. Thank You. Amen.