Reconcile

 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

Matthew 5:23-26

Since we are sinners, reconciliation will always be needed as we seek to live in community and serve together. Forgiveness is commanded and should be practiced among Christians. (Matthew 18) Jesus gives us a few principles for reconciliation in this text.

Reconciliation should precede worship. We are to reconcile before worship takes place. Evidently, we cannot be right with God in worship until we are right with one another in relationship.

Reconciliation should be personal in nature. We are taught to go to our brother and be reconciled. We are not to send envoys to do the work of reconciliation. It must be done in person.

Also, reconciliation should take place quickly so the problem will not grow and worsen. That thought seems to be what Jesus was leading us toward in V. 25-26 of this passage. Don’t allow the conflict to fester by ignoring it. Confront it quickly so that healing can take place. Confronting conflict is not always easy and simple but it worth the effort and the work.

Tony French