First , Be Reconciled ! A . Lionel
First , Be Reconciled ! A . Lionel
The Blessing Youth Mission has declared this year as the “ Year of Reconciliation .” The word reconciliation means that we have an attitude of living at peace with everyone . In the Bible we see that reconciliation is a two dimensional truth . The first is that we be reconciled to God and second truth is that we live in peace with all men . Both these aspects are equally important and cannot be ignored . Apostle Paul beautifully brings out how God reconciled us to Him .
Rom 5:10 - “ For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son , much more , now that we are reconciled , shall we be saved by his life .”
In this article , I want to focus on the second aspect of reconciliation i . e . being reconciled with man . Being Reconciled With Man When we are reconciled with God , our personal life is set right with God . In a similar way , when we reconcile ourselves with people , our life is set right before everyone . The Bible gives equal importance to these two truths .
When Jesus walked on this earth , a teacher of
law questioned Jesus regarding the greatest commandment in the Bible . Note the reply that Jesus gives : Mat 22:37- 40 And He said to him , “ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind . This is the great and first commandment . And a second is like it : You shall love your neighbor as yourself . On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets .”
This truth was later reinforced by Apostle John in his epistle .
1Jn 4:20 , 21 - “ If anyone says , “ I love God , and hates his brother , he is a liar ; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen . And this commandment we have from him : whoever loves God must also love his brother .”
We find this truth of living at peace with the brothers and sisters is expressed all through the Scriptures ( Heb 12:14 , 1 Cor 7:15b , Mat 5:9 ). Our God is not the source of division but of peace . So living at peace with man is a very important aspect of Christian living . I want to bring six facets of Reconciliation and why it is so significant to us . 1 . Reconciliation is God ' s Priority Mat 5:23,24 - “ 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 .”
Jesus taught that reconciliation with man should be done immediately . It should not be postponed . He considered it to be a serious requirement for a right worship . In the Old Testament times , altar was a place on which sacrifices were made . It is a place where we meet God . It is the presence of God . When we approach the altar and remember any wrong that we did to our brother or sister , then we need to leave the offering right there and be reconciled first . God here prioritizes relationship with man as a precondition for worship . He says , ' First be reconciled …”
Further , if your brother or sister has sinned
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