Matthew 5:21-26
You know that our ancestors were told, “Do not murder” and “A murderer must be brought to trial.” But I promise you that if you are angry with someone, you will have to stand trial. If you call someone a fool, you will be taken to court. And if you say that someone is worthless, you will be in danger of the fires of hell.
So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.
Before you are dragged into court, make friends with the person who has accused you of doing wrong. If you don’t, you will be handed over to the judge and then to the officer who will put you in jail. I promise you that you will not get out until you have paid the last cent you owe.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend shared a story about a woman who was standing in line at the grocery store, talking on her cell phone… in a foreign language. When she finished, the man in front of her turned and said, “If you want to speak Spanish, go back to Mexico. This is America…you should speak English – not Spanish.” She replied, “I was speaking Navajo… if you want to speak English, go back to England.” Okay, so it’s a silly joke… but it does make the point that we often choose to say things we shouldn’t – and frequently there are consequences for said comments.
Are we really so naïve as to think that we can harbor ill feelings toward someone else and still ask God to cut us some slack? Do we truly believe that we can treat others unkindly and expect God to welcome us with open arms? What is wrong with us, people?! Have we really sunk so lowly that we honestly believe we have some sort of “Golden Pass” when it comes to God’s favor? I’ve got a news flash… Jesus says it just ain’t so! And it would serve us well to listen to what He is telling us!
Before you start asking God for anything, make sure you “have your ducks in a row.” Apologized to your kids for being short and ill-tempered with them? Check! Told your roommate you’re sorry you have been such a slob and promised to do better? Check! Forgiven your neighbor for playing his/her music too loudly or mowing the yard before dawn and disrupting your sleep? Check! Prayed for those who say and do things to ruffle your feathers on a daily basis? Check! Held your tongue in the checkout line when you wanted to say something unkind or derogatory? CHECK!
We all sin… we all fall short. People will offend us and wrong us – and some will treat us unkindly or unfairly. But until we ask forgiveness of others, we cannot ask God for the same. Until we forgive in our hearts those who wrong or offend us and make things right, we have no entitlement to ask God to forgive us and restore us to an authentic relationship with Him. Remember… whatever we do to the least of His creatures, we do to Him. (Matthew 25:40)
Who do you have to forgive today – either personally or in your heart? Where do you need to ask for forgiveness and a second chance? Are you coming before God with a “clean slate” and a pure heart? Isn’t it time you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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