FIRST, RECONCILIATION

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. (Matthew 5:23, 24 NKJV)

There is a marked difference between memory and recollection.

Memory resembles a great box or chest into which a man puts his letters, accounts, and manuscripts; recollection is the readiness, be it less or more, with which he can lay his hand on what he requires. We know that it is somewhere in our possession, we remember to have seen and turned it over, but search as we may we cannot find or recall it.

But there is a moment of quickened recollection when we stand before God: "When thou bringest thy gift to the altar and rememberest." As the Divine searchlight plays upon our past life it reveals many things which had passed from our mind. Conscience is a keen quickener of our powers of recollection.

What has your brother against you? This, that you shouted out against him in passion, with bitter, angry words, in hatred and contempt; or this, that you have been sullen and sulky, scarcely answering his questions, meeting his salutations with grudging courtesy. Perhaps you have done him a positive wrong, and have taken from him his only covering, or have denied him help when he was in dire need (Exodus 22:26-27; Exodus 23: 4-9).

We are bidden to get right with man, as the first step to acceptance with God--" first be reconciled to thy brother." Humility is necessary in every approach to God and nothing so humbles our pride as to confess our faults to our brethren. Truth is necessary to all right dealings with God, and nothing will so promote truth in our inward parts as to be transparent and simple in our dealings with our brethren. Sincerity in confession of sin is an essential beginning of peace with God, but how can we be sure that our confession is sincere unless it costs us something more than words. "'First, be reconciled with thy brother"--not only with the brother of human flesh--but with our great Brother in Glory (Genesis 1: 17-21; Hebrews 2:11). Then come offer thyself, as your gift; He will accept you, and your gifts.

PRAYER

Give unto us, Lord, we beg You, broken and contrite hearts. Help us to do all that ought to be done to make amends, and grant unto our brother the willingness to meet us with forgiveness and peace. So shall we have peace with You, our Elder Brother, against whom we have grievously sinned. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.