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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