THE
NECESSITY OF RECONCILIATION BEFORE ACCEPTABLE SERVICE
Matthew 5:23-26
“Therefore ...” The
word, “therefore”, links us with the preceding verses before
verse 23. Our Lord had revealed the mind of God and the verdict of heaven on
anger in our relationship. The religious leaders of that time had not
considered the evil and danger of anger. Neither did they think of other sins
that anger produces - hatred, malice, revenge, retaliation, strife, contention,
injustice, violence, slander, backbiting, provocation, murmuring, division,
conspiracy, mischief, cruelty, oppression, obstinacy, covenant breaking,
strained relationships, self-destruction. Anger is an evil root in one’s heart
that produces evil fruits in one’s life.
Anger affects our relationship with our
neighbours negatively. With such negative effects on our relationship, a wife
or a husband, a brother or a sister, an employer or an employee, a relative or
a neighbour may justly have an “aught” against us.
Reconciliation, the mending of our relationship, restoration of normal
fellowship becomes necessary before God can accept our gift, service or
worship. Our Lord who knows the meaning and requirements of God’s law more than
all religious teachers in all generations declares this truth. Angry relationship
with man hinders intimate relationship with God.
1. REALIZATION
AT THE ALTAR OF WORHSIP
Matthew 5:23; Genesis 41:9; 42:21-23;
1 Samuel 24:5; Esther 2:1; Job 34:32; Ezekiel 36:31; Matthew 26:75; Ezekiel
16:61-63.
“Therefore,
if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother
hath aught against thee, ...” The Pharisees were only committed
to external acts of worship, they were not concerned about the state of their
hearts. The internal state of mind and attitude towards their fellowmen were
not considered as essential to their worship of God. While their hearts burned
with the fire of anger and hatred, they continued with their external acts of
worship. While they were under the heavy burden of judgement and condemnation
for contempt and conspiracy against Christ, they continued with their external
acts of worship. Their worship was unacceptable. They had not learnt that “God
is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth”
(John 4:24). If anyone worships God with zeal and great commitment, yet
with anger, hatred and malice in the heart, our Lord has declared his worship
to be worthless and his religion vain. It is more desirable to have the heart
right with God and man than to perform mere outward acts of worship. If,
therefore, a man has gone so far as to bring his gift to the very altar, and
should remember that anyone had anything against him, it was his duty to leave
his offering there and go and be reconciled.
2. RECONCILIATION
BEFORE ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP
Matthew 5:24; Leviticus 6:1-7;
Ecclesiastes 3:15; Luke 19:8-10; Acts 24:16; Luke 17:3,4; Matthew
18:15-17,21,22; 1 Corinthians 6:1-10; James 3:13-18; 5:16.
“First be reconciled to thy
brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” The word, “first”,
emphasises the priority and necessity of reconciliation with offended brothers,
sisters or neighbours before offering our gifts to God in worship or service.
Consider the word, “first” in Matthew 6:33;
7:5; 17:10,11; 23:26. While the unresolved matters remained, our offering,
sacrifice, worship or service cannot be acceptable. The gift we bring to God may appear great and very
significant while the offended brother appears
small and insignificant, yet restitution and reconciliation are
necessary. The situation may appear small and insignificant, yet restitution
and reconciliation are necessary. The
situation or the “aught” may be known only between
the offended and the offender, yet reconciliation will be necessary and it is
not to be delayed. The fault or blame may be on both sides, yet the one who
remembers that his brother has “aught” against him is not
excusable. “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than
the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). To continue offering our gifts and
labouring in the service of the Lord without reconciling with our brother,
without restoring Christian fellowship will result to giving “the
sacrifice of fools” (Ecclesiastes 5:1). Such sacrifice or
service is unacceptable to God. Acceptable worship or service is always offered
from hearts “void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts
24:16).
3. REACTION
TOWARDS ADVERSARIES IN THE WORLD
Matthew 5:25,26; Romans 12:17-21;
14:17-19; Mark 9:50; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 Corinthians 16:9;
Philippians 1:27,28; Luke 21:12-15.
“Agree with thine adversary
quickly.” We ought to carefully restore and preserve christian love and
fellowship. If at any time there is strained relationship, we must seek peace
with urgency. “As much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all
men.” Take the initiative to have reconciliation, by
confessing your fault, humbling yourself before your brother, asking for his
pardon and making restitution for wrong done in word or deed. Reconcile with
the offended brother and meekly endure being cheated rather than going to the
law court to settle differences.
This quick agreement with the
adversary does not imply yielding or submitting our will or soul to the “adversary
the devil.” No. As for him, resist him until he flees
from you (James 4:7). Neither should we compromise the faith with the
adversaries who are persecutors. Christ, our perfect Example did not compromise
or agree with such adversaries or opposers of the gospel. He silenced them. “And
when He had said these things, all His adversaries were ashamed: and all the
people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him”
(Luke 13:17).
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