Title: Go First, Be Reconciled to Your Brothers
Contents
Go first and be reconciled to your brother (Matthew 5:23-24)
In commemorating the 100th anniversary of the great revival in Pyongyang, we are considering the Word by topic every week in developing the 5 major faith practice movements. Following repentance, revival, godliness and peace, today we will look at reconciliation.
One of the hallmarks of successful people is that they are thoroughly prepared for what they have to do. It is no exaggeration to say that preparation is second nature. What do you think are the priorities that believers should prepare before worshiping God? Let's look at that principle. As verse 23 says, reconciliation with the brother must come first. The text implicitly teaches that God never accepts worship, devotion, and offerings from those who neglect human relationships (Isaiah 1:10-17). Therefore, the saints should always strive for a vertical relationship with God, and at the same time, put their best efforts into a horizontal relationship with humans.
The word “first” in the text is highly emphasized as it is paired with the word “reconciled”. This emphasizes the importance and value of reconciliation with brothers rather than asking about the value or importance of the gifts offered to God. Indeed, the gifts that God is pleased with will be warm love for brothers, reconciliation without casualty, and life-giving service (25:40).
As a proof, Jesus connected the word “first” and the word “reconciliation” in the text. Because this is a very important virtue, he said it again and again in Luke 6:27-28 and Matthew 18:18. Therefore, if we do not loose our bond with anyone, and if we worship diligently, it will not be loosed in heaven. The prayer request will not be answered continuously, and even if you attend worship, the emotion will be short-lived.
However, if I show God the traces of first trying to unravel the relationship with the person with whom I had formed, regardless of the outcome, God will also break the relationship with us. He will answer that prayer you have withheld. The joy and peace of life will be restored. Even if you see that person, you will be able to say hello first. Finally, the work of praying while looking at that person and their family will take place. As a result, it will be said to you that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
There may be some who feel that today's words are unfair, as if I am the only one who suffers loss. Of course, I admit that I cannot do that with my own will. But I hope it will be a time to look to Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of us (Hebrews 12:2). If we could see the process of Jesus' death directly, rather than preaching like this, if we could witness the six hours of suffering on the cross, and the meaning of His death would be the sacrifice to forgive ourselves and reconcile ourselves to God. If you realize that you have become like this with the help of the Holy Spirit, then there will be no one who cannot forgive you. There will be no one who cannot be reconciled. Rather than being forced by anyone, he himself will reach out his hand first and ask for reconciliation.
The great Pyongyang revival movement is a clear example of showing that it has become a place of reconciliation and joy in which the sinless Christ of the Holy Spirit realized the grace and forgiveness of the cross he loved even to death, confessed his sins to God, and then went to others to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. Yes. We need to know that biblical reconciliation is “not just tolerating or forgetting.” The topic is ‘decision’. Remembering the love and forgiveness you received through the cross, you must make at least four decisions.
The first is, “I will not think about this any more.”
Second, “I will not discuss the matter.”
Third, “I will not tell anyone”
Fourth, “I will pray for him.”
Even if the other person is not preparing, I sincerely pray that if I first show such ‘one-sided reconciliation’ in my resolve, then when the time is up, I sincerely pray that you will become disciples of Christ who can testify that the Holy Spirit has achieved ‘reconciliation with each other.