Thoughts on peacemaking...
[Jesus
said] "You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not
murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that
everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever
insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You
fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 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. Come to terms quickly with your accuser
while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the
judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you,
you will never get out until you have paid the last penny." (Matthew
5:21-26 ESV)
Jesus
does not want us to settle for less than the best. He does not want us to do
the playground thing -- you know, the forced handshake -- where we mumble our
apologies while holding anger and bitterness in our hearts. No; Jesus wants us
to "be reconciled." He is not satisfied with outward actions unless
there is inward peace.
Because
conflict is a hindrance to our worship, Jesus instructs us to make peacemaking
a priority in our lives. Whenever we realize we have conflict with someone, we
are to act immediately; Jesus said, "...leave your gift at the altar and
go ...come to terms quickly..."
The
Lord Jesus is concerned about our hearts. He is concerned about our relationships.
He commands us to work things out! I wonder how many worship services never
actually make it to worship because the room is full of unresolved conflict?
Get
it right. Get it right, not because I said so, but because it is the will, way,
desire and command of God. Get right because unresolved conflict affects our
worship, steals our peace and the family of God deserves our obedience.
Who
are you in conflict today? Is it a brother or sister? Go quickly. Go now. Come
to terms. Be reconciled.
Then,
go quickly, carry your gift, and get back to what you were made for...get back
to worshiping God.
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