July 31, 2022 - INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE HEART

By Doug Bennyson

Initiating Reconciliation. 

I love the words of Jesus. One of my favorite moments in His ministry is the Sermon on the Mount. There is always something new that is found in the passage whenever we read it. He delivers the message to people who seek him with utmost compassion proclaiming to the people on how the Kingdom of God is and how it functions in any setting. It changes one's view of religion as it calls us to introspect ourselves and question our motives. His words bring us peace.

We as a church have been channeling through Matthew 5 in the past few weeks. Scholars declare that this is the greatest sermon ever preached in the ministry of Jesus. The passage that would be studied this week is hovering around our offering to Jesus and the subject of offence. This is not the offence that is caused to us but about people who we may have offended with our harsh words.

Matthew 5: 23 & 24 goes on to say, "23 Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering."

The passage above talks about reconciliation. This passage talks about deep introspection. It is not pointed to the fact if we are the receivers of an offence. In fact it talks about the offence we have caused to other people. Jesus asks us to go reconcile with the people we have offended with our words and then come back to offer sacrifices unto Him.

Most of the time we don't want to ask for forgiveness because of our pride. Our pride wants us to stay away from reconciliation. In our walk with God, often we come across the observation that pride is what draws us away from God and His people. Jesus challenges us to look into ourselves and crucify all forms of pride so that we can have a peaceful relationship with the Father.

Have you offended anyone lately with your harsh words? Is the Holy Spirit reminding you of anyone? Take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit to give you the boldness to confront the pride inside of you and seek out the people we offended and ask for forgiveness.

I pray for myself and you as well that we would be quick to ask for forgiveness for our harsh words towards others.