Reconciliation: November 14, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2013.

RECONCILIATION

DEFINITION:

Restore to union and friendship after estrangement; adjust; settle; bring to agreement; to bring to harmony those between whom there exists a state of enmity and hostility.

SCRIPTURE:

First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:24.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In Judaism, the holiest day of the year is YOM KIPPER, the Day of Atonement. On that day the Jewish people seek God's forgiveness for their sins both personal and national. The day before is called EREV YOM KIPPER and is the last opportunity to seek forgiveness from other people before Yom Kipper begins. This is important because in the Jewish tradition you must seek forgiveness from other people before you can seek the forgiveness of God. 

If we have wronged someone so that there is a broken relationship it can hinder our relationship with the Lord. If you wonder why this is so, it is because issues that are left unresolved fester and grow which often leads to bitterness and escalating acts of retaliation. This is sin in God's eyes. Sin separates us from God. Jesus pointed out that in order to worship Him with all of our heart, and a pure heart, we first need to resolve matters with others. Jesus states this clearly in Matthew 5:24 (above).

Our ability to truly worship God is hindered by our broken relationships with others. As believers we need to understand and practice reconciliation in our lives. Broken relationships are caused by wrong actions, bad attitudes and destructive words and these are all issues that God expects us to make right before we should come to Him. If we do not, how can God bless us?

It is tough, and for some tougher than for others, to get up the courage necessary to go to a person we have wronged and admit that we were wrong and ask forgiveness, which is part of the process of reconciliation. The process of reconciliation is not an easy one. We always like to think we are right and others are wrong. Reconciliation comes when God changes the hearts of people. Only God can change the attitude of our hearts. As believers we have no choice, if we want to be obedient to God and used of God, but to act and act swiftly and completely to seek reconciliation with those we have wronged.

Are you concerned enough that your worship with God will be pleasing and acceptable to Him to take the necessary action to reconcile the issues in your life with those who have been affected by your actions? Remember what someone once said: An offense against your neighbor is a fence between you and God.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 2:9a

My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.

PRAYER:

Give me the strength today if I have hurt a friend or relative to go at once and make things right. Help me to learn to be able to ask forgiveness knowing that these words bring delight to Your heart.