LOVE LIKE JESUS
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24, ESV
Theme: Jesus makes reconciling relationships a priority.
UNSPECIFIED ANGST
Have you ever come to church, sat listening to a message or a worship song, and felt unsettled? Some vague anxiety or cloud seems to keep you from focusing on worshiping God or hearing His message for you? This sometimes happened to me when there was an argument with a family member on the way to the church building. Maybe I saw someone who irritates me or with whom I am having a disagreement when I entered the building or parking lot. It could be totally unrelated—a work or family conflict not related to my Cove Church family at all. Unresolved conflict or bitterness is a dark cloud that separates us from experiencing the glory of God.
ASK FORGIVENESS
The Bible has the answer for just such situations. Matthew says if you are trying to worship and you “remember that your brother has something against you...” (Matthew 5:23, ESV), you must deal with it right then! It is important that this is not about you feeling wronged. This is about your brother or sister feeling wronged! If there is bitterness and unease in your soul, it is probably something they are feeling, also. Matthew says if they have “something against you,” deal with it immediately.
Forgiving others is a topic covered in many other scriptures. Yet this is about asking for forgiveness! When we do not ask for forgiveness from another whom we have hurt, there is an immediate barrier to our relationship to God and thus, to worship. If you don’t feel it was “that big of a deal,” think of it in terms of your relationship with God. If you feel that distance, it is obviously a “big deal” with Him! So just lay down your pride and go.
LOVE AS GOD LOVES
As we read today’s Scripture, it is obvious that Jesus expects us to make reconciliation a priority. More important than any spiritual discipline or any service you do at church is pursuing peace and embracing restoration of relationships. In 1 Peter 3:7, the way husbands and wives act in a relationship—the care they extend to each other—can affect the way their prayers are received. Don’t let bitterness hinder your prayers, but rather love as Jesus loves: completely, without reservation, and with humility and mercy.
Make It Personal: Allow God to examine you. Do you attend church as an obligation or are you in the business of reconciliation? Is your ministry team or worship experience more important to you than relationships that may need repair? Would you ask God to reveal any areas which need immediate attention? Would you ask Him for the strength to go to those you have offended, offer apologies, and ask forgiveness? Would you turn the other cheek and go the extra mile as Jesus taught?
Pray: Father, help me to pursue peace and reconciliation. I want to love others so much that I make it a priority to work it out with them. Help me to love others like Jesus, reaching out to heal their hurts and humbling myself in order that we might be restored. Thank You for loving me so much that You sent Jesus to set me free. Your plan was always to make a way to reconcile me to You. Let me love as You do, restore as You do, forgive as You do. In the mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.
Read: Matthew 5:21-26, 6:15; Mark 11:25; Romans 12:17-18; 1 Peter 3:7
Weekly Memory Verse: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:44-45a, NIV