Seek the Cure

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)

 Is anything more important than your worship?

For Jews in Jesus’ day, the temple was the most important place on earth and the altar was its most holy article. Bringing your offering to God in worship was the most important and sacred thing you could do. 

But Jesus’ teaching in today’s passage says there is something more important than your worship. It is so important that until it happens your worship is impossible. Jesus says you cannot get right with God until you get right with your brother.

You may not have anything against another person, but if you know someone has something against you–even if you think you have done nothing wrong–Jesus says you should try to reconcile with that person. As far as it depends on you, Jesus says, work toward reconciliation intentionally and immediately.

In 1 Timothy 2:8, the Apostle Paul said, “Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” (I Timothy 2:8) The word “anger” is the same word used for anger here. Paul said you can’t pray or sing with an angry heart. If you aren’t right with someone on earth you can’t be right with God in heaven.

What do you do if you’re sitting in church, bitter toward another or you know they have something against you? Seek the cure of the problem by doing all you can to be reconciled. Send them a text message to set up a time to talk. Make a phone call. As far as it depends on you, make the effort toward repair.

Don’t be discouraged if this feels difficult. Nothing is impossible with your God. He will help you to reconcile with your adversary and free you to worship wholeheartedly.

Prayer: Lord, Thank You for being patient with my difficult emotions. Anger feels hard at times. I confess to You that I have held grudges and thought I was justified in doing so. Is there someone that I need to go to? Help me, Holy Spirit, to do my part in making right my relationships and worship. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.