Reconciliation With Men

Devotional Reading: 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 ESV

Our vertical relationship with God can only be as good as our horizontal relationship with others. Our worship must include a repair of our relationships. Notice the word “be reconciled” in verse 24 of our text? Jesus does not say “do not worship,” but to go FIRST and make right the wrong. He wants us to worship together with the brother we are troubled with. Worship is to be done together, not alone. Reconciling to another is not done at the expense of worship, but as a part of worship.

The Greek word for ‘reconciled’ is diallasso and is only used here in the Bible. It means ‘to change thoroughly’ – to bring back together a relationship that was broken. This verb is in contrast to the other Greek word for ‘reconciled’, katalasso, and concerns God’s reconciling the world to Himself. Both the verb and noun involved a change only on our part since God is holy and does not change.

Paul says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Romans 12:18)

So far as it depends on you. Jesus took every step required of a human being to make matters right with his enemies (He never sinned), and still they had things against Him and were not reconciled to Him. We are always, if it is within our means to bring back together a relationship that is broken. We are only responsible for what others hold against us when it is owing to real sin on our part. We are responsible to pursue reconciliation, and live with the pain if it does not succeed.

Prayer and Confession
Dear Father, I know that my worship with you may not be complete unless my relationship is right with You and with others. Holy Spirit, help me cast aside my differences with others and know that we are all Your children. Help me love my neighbour as You have commanded. In Jesus’ name Amen!

Further Reading: 1Corinthians 13