Reconciliation
New World Dictionary
Reconciliation: To make friendly again or win over to a friendly attitude. Bring into harmony.
The Lord Jesus said....
Matthew 5:21-24 KJV
[21] Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
[22] But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (Greek. Rhaka: O empty one; thou worthless-utter vilification), shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
[23] Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
[24] Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
What interesting instruction from the Lord.
One of the most important articles within the church, is the Altar. (Is it any wonder why the enemy of our souls, has in many churches, done away with the altar!)
It is at the altar, where we meet with God.
It is at the altar, that God will speak to us.
It is at the altar, as our Lord has said, that things will be brought to our mind, sins that must be confessed, and wrongs that must be made right.
It is at the altar, where lives are pledged to each other, and where lives are pledged in service to God.
It is at the altar, where we remember the great sacrifice of our Lord.
It is the responsibility of every pastor, to call his congregation, to the altar.
(In our Lord's story, this individual, did not remember that he was out of harmony with his brother, until at the Altar, for the Spirit of God, spoke to him.)
In this text we see that contrary to what evil men may think, we cannot “buy-off,” God.
Bringing all the money of the world into the church treasury, while living an unacceptable, hypocritical life, does not please God!
We cannot buy, our way into God's favor.
Only through righteous living, with humility, can we find the blessing of God.
And again, according to this instruction from the Lord, we have no business coming before the Living God, at the Altar, Communion, etc. if we are out of harmony with our fellow man, believers or otherwise, for our heart will condemns us!
I John 3:19-22 KJV
[19] And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
[20] For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
[21] Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
[22] And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
In the giving of Communion, the Apostle Paul gave this warning....
I Corinthians 11:27-32 KJV
27 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.
29 For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself.
30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.
31 But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way.
32 Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
Ephesians 4:30-32 KJV
[30] And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
[31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour (loud noisy complaint), and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice (desire to do harm):
[32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
II Corinthians 5:21 KJV
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. “
Jesus told us that we cannot be reconciled to God, without first being reconciled to our brother, or sister first.
Because you and I never know just when we will meet death, how important it is, not to delay in any way, to be reconciled with all those who we know.
Matthew 18:15-17 KJV
[15] ... if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
[16] But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
[17] And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
We live in a world today of hatred and discord, but may it not be so, with the people of God. Judgment is coming.
Revelation 6:12-17 KJV
[12] And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
[13] And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
[14] And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
[15] And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
[16] And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
[17] For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
