[ecko_quote source="Matthew 5:24"] Leave your gift there in front of the altar, first go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift [/ecko_quote]
It is useless to give offerings to God even in the form of singing, praising & worshiping if you are still at enmity with your brother/sister. Jesus said that His followers should be reconciled with anyone who is against them. The world seeks reconciliation on limited terms. Christians are to be reconciled, whatever it takes.
You might say, “But you don’t know how deeply he/she hurt me! It is unreasonable to ask me to restore our relationship.” Or, “I tried, but they do not seem to be pacified” Jesus did not include any exception as a clause for our reconciliation. If the person is an enemy, Jesus asked us to love him, if he persecutes you, you are to pray for him. If he/she publicly humiliates you, you are not to retaliate (Matt 5:39), if someone takes advantage of you, you are to give even more than he asks (Matt 5:41-44)
The world preaches us to “proclaim yourself” but Jesus taught us to, “Deny yourself”. The world warns that you will constantly be exploited. Jesus’ concern for His disciples was not that they should be treated fairly but was that they show unconditional love to others regardless of how they would be treated. Men spat on Jesus and nailed Him to a cross. His response was our model: “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing’ (Luke 23:34).
If there is ever a command that is constantly disobeyed, it is this mandate to be reconciled. We comfort ourselves with the thought, “God knows that I tried to make things right, but my enemy refused.” God’s word does not say “try to be reconciled” but “Be reconciled.”
Sin breaks our relationship with God; it also severs our relationships with others. Broken relationships are the epidemic of our day. Sin alienates family members, separates friends, divides churches, and destroy marriages. Sin creates mistrust, jealousy, hatred, and greed, all of which devastate relationships. Christ is the oOnly remedy for this disastrous effect of sin on human relationships. As Christ's ambassadors, we are to take the message of reconciliation. How tragic is it when God’s messengers of peace harbour enmity toward each other. It is a travesty to carry a message of love and yet be filled with hatred. If there is someone whom you refuse to forgive, your message of reconciliation is hypocrisy. The evidence that you are a disciple of Jesus is that you love your fellow Christian (John 13:35).
Often we are less patient with our fellow Christians than we are with nonbelievers. We expect more from Christians, and we feel betrayed when they fail us. When this happens, we need to look closely at the cross and remember the forgiveness we received there. We must set aside the self-centered nature that leads to impatience and criticism of others.
I am aware of how difficult it would be to put reconciliation into practice, but as a Christian, we don’t have any other way/option. Surely it would be good for our health and spiritual growth if we do so. The matter is up to us to follow the Word of God or deny it.
Is there someone with whom you need to make peace? Then do what God is asking you to do.
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[ecko_quote source="Matthew 11:28"]Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest [/ecko_quote]
The Bible is the greatest book ever written. In it, God Himself speaks to mankind. It is a book of divine instructions. It offers comfort in sorrow, guidance in perplexity, advice when we face problems, convicts us of our sins, and inspires us daily to cater for all our needs.
The above scripture is known as the greatest invitation to the humanity by our Saviour Jesus Christ. It is also said that no religion on the face of this earth has ever provided such an invitation. No great leaders, rulers, or Kings have ever made such an invitation. Jesus is asking us just to come to him, but most often we would not go to him until we finish our attempts and secure our defeats. This is our continuous human tendency. Even going through tough times, we are reluctant to put forth our problems at His feet. Instead, we do whatever is possible. We even seek help from the friends and families, including doctors (for particular problems) but refuse to surrender and submit our troubles to him. There is nothing wrong in seeking help from other sources… provided, we seek Him first.
My dear ones, It is an open invitation without any conditions attached to it. Christ invites all of us to come to Him to receive rest for our souls. He alone gives this invitation; men come to him when feeling their guilt and misery, believing his love and power to help, they seek him in fervent prayer. Thus, it is the duty and interest of weary and heavy-laden sinners, to come to Jesus Christ. This is the gospel call; Whoever will, let him come. All who thus come will receive rest as Christ's gift, and obtain peace and comfort in their hearts. Jesus is simply asking us to come to Him with our burdens and labor. In turn, He is assuring us the provision of rest. Whatsoever our problems that are causing us unrest, despair, or even depression. Our Lord is saying to us that we cannot overcome or solve our problems, the one who fallen into the well, needs help from above and he cannot help himself. The world says “help yourself”, but Jesus says come to me… I will give you rest. The rest what Jesus provides is beyond our understanding and comprehension. The scripture states “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Jesus is saying to us “come to Me”.So, How can we go to Him? We have to go to Him in prayer and pour our hearts out to Him. If that seems difficult, then I don’t think there is any other way. God draws our attention in several ways. I once, read a story of a well-trained dog who loved water. One day the dog was playing in the lake. Its owner went out to call him, but it wouldn’t come. It was a good and a well-trained dog. After several attempts of calling him, the man finally threw a stick in the water. When the dog saw it, he swam over, grabbed the stick, came back and laid the stick next to his master. Likewise, It just may be that God who is our master had given you a burden because he can’t get your attention. He is calling us to do what he wants us to do. Our Master wants us to come and lay it at his feet.
My dear ones, God, might be seeking your attention because of the situations you are in. The best way for us to come to Him is to lay down our burden at His feet. Then, surely the peace of God will take control of our lives.
Is your heart aching today?, Come to Him and cast your burden at His feet and allow His peace to fill your heart. (Psalm 55:22)
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