The Conquest

Make It Right, Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Reading: Matthew 5:23-24 - ²³"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

It is truly remarkable what an incredible Eternal Father we have. Does God need anything from us? God owns it all. Everything you see, even if it has a “name brand” stamped on it, belongs to and was created by God. Therefore, when we come to God with our gifts, offerings and sacrifices, He doesn’t need it. It’s already His. The experience of giving to Him is for our relationship with Him, more so, for us.

It reminds me of a father who’s kids are at odds with one another but are planning on coming home for Christmas and are collecting money to buy the gift of a lifetime for their dad. After finding out what the kids are planning, the dad calls all of the kids, thanks them for the gesture and the gift idea, but that he would much rather have his kids get along and get things right between each other. Let’s face it… our Christian siblings can sometimes be a pain. I know I can be. But, no matter how hard we try, we cannot separate our relationship with God with our relationship with our Christian brothers and sisters. It is an impossibility. How you treat, respond, forgive and love your Christian family has a direct impact on your relationship with our Father. Even to the extent, if you notice in the verse, that it isn’t even you that has the problem with someone; rather, if someone has a problem with you. I know that may seem ridiculous because you are the nicest guy and wouldn’t have anyone that has a good reason to have a problem with you. So, we excuse going to them because they don’t have a good reason for having “something against you”.

Search your heart. Who do you know has something against you and what is the problem (be as specific as possible)?

Challenge: Go to that brother and be reconciled to him today. Don’t wait!

REVIEW

How were you able to be reconciled today?

How did that affect your day and your relationship with God as well as your brother?