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GOD’S WORD DAILY

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 79                                                             OCTOBER 16, 2001

     

WORD OF THE DAY:
     BE RECONCILED

     

Scripture references: Matthew 5:23, 24:

          "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there
           rememberest that thy brother hath ought [anything]
          against thee;

          Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way;
           first be reconciled [to change thoroughly] to thy
           brother, and then come and offer thy gift. "

 

___________________________________________________________________

 

     Reconciled= "To win over to friendliness; to cause to become amicable; to reconcile
      hostile persons. To compose or settle (a quarrel, dispute, etc.) To bring into agreement or
     harmony; to make compatible or consistent; to reconcile differing statements or accounts.
     To restore (an excommunicate or penitent) to communion in a church. From Latin word
     meaning to make good again, repair. Synonyms: pacify, propitiate, harmonize.
     Antonym: anger."[Webster's Dictionary]

 

_______________________________________________________________________

 

     Verses 23,24. " Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, etc. The Pharisees were intent
     only on the external act in worship. They looked not at all to the internal acts of the mind
     [heart]. If a man conformed to the external rites of religion, however much envy,
     and malice and secret hatred he might have, they thought he was doing well.

     Our Saviour taught a different doctrine. It was of more consequence to have the heart right,
     than to perform the outward act. If therefore, says he, a man has gone so far as to bring
     his gift to the very altar, and should remember that any one had anything against him, it was
      his duty there to leave his offering, and go and be reconciled." [Barnes]

 

     "To obey is better than sacrifice."

 

     "He that comes to worship his Maker filled with malice, and hatred, and envy, and at war
      with his brethren, is a hypocritical worshipper…" [Barnes]

     How many times have I gone to fellowship with someone with whom I was angry?
     How many times have I gone to fellowship with someone who was angry with me?
     MULTITUDES! I never got much out of the teachings on those days! If I was the
     teacher during those times it was a very difficult task!

     It would be better to be reconciled first than to go through the "fellowship motions." You
     know about the "fellowship motions!" Perhaps you have gone through them yourself one
     time or another: show up to church with a pasted on smile, heart full of pain, anger and
     strife, act all religious, pious and cool, all the while thinking how miffed you are or how mad
      that person is at you!"

     I realize we cannot make any one forgive us. However, we still need to do our part in the
     reconciliation process. Apologize, make restitution if any is due and walk in love.

                                                            Speak the truth in love.

 

                        

Love fulfills the Law.
Love covers a multitude of sins.
Be reconciled unto thy brother
who has anything against you.

 

 

     Why worship we God and offer our gift to Him in front of the congregation, when there is
     someone, perhaps in the same room, at that very moment, who has been hurt by us? If we
     cannot love our brother who you can see, how can we love God whom we cannot see?

     May we worship God freely and at peace among ourselves. May we be reconciled
     one to another. Amen.

 

 

     -Carol Kenreigh

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