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This verse says, "If you bring
your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something
against you . . . ." It is not saying, "If you search and find something
because of your unbalanced sensitivity," but, "If you . . . remember . . .
." In other words, if something is brought to your conscious mind by the
Spirit of God— "First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer
your gift" (Matthew 5:24 ). Never object to the intense sensitivity of the
Spirit of God in you when He is instructing you down to the smallest detail.
"First be reconciled to your brother . . . ." Our Lord’s directive is
simple— "First be reconciled . . . ." He says, in effect, "Go back the way
you came— the way indicated to you by the conviction given to you at the
altar; have an attitude in your mind and soul toward the person who has
something against you that makes reconciliation as natural as breathing."
Jesus does not mention the other person— He says for you to go. It is not a
matter of your rights. The true mark of the saint is that he can waive his
own rights and obey the Lord Jesus.
". . . and then come and offer your gift." The process of reconciliation is
clearly marked. First we have the heroic spirit of self-sacrifice, then the
sudden restraint by the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit, and then we are
stopped at the point of our conviction. This is followed by obedience to the
Word of God, which builds an attitude or state of mind that places no blame
on the one with whom you have been in the wrong. And finally there is the
glad, simple, unhindered offering of your gift to God. |
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