Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23-24 NIV
Good relationships within the body of Christ are essential. We cannot serve and honor God effectively when we are at odds with each other. The Scripture is clear about my need to forgive those who have hurt me. But this passage looks at the other side of the reconciliation equation. What about the person that I have hurt or offended in some way? What responsibility do I have toward them?
Seeking Reconciliation
Jesus clearly teaches that I should seek reconciliation with my offended brother or sister as soon as possible. Once I realize that the hurt is there, I should not delay in trying to resolve it.
It could be that I have actually hurt them with something I have said or done. Or by something that I failed to say or do. It might even be that what they have against me is just a misunderstanding. In the end, it does not matter whether the issue is real or imagined. Or even my fault. Jesus instructs me to go to them and seek reconciliation.
It may be that the other person is unwilling to be reconciled despite my best efforts. If that is the case, I have at least done what I could to restore peace within the body.
Don’t let a broken relationship with another believer hinder your worship of our Lord or your effectiveness in the kingdom’s work. Make every effort to be reconciled as quickly as possible. Do not give Satan a foothold (Eph. 4:27).
