Reconciling Before You Worship
Scripture
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”
– Matthew 5:23–24 (NLT)
Devotion
Pastor made this very plain: if there’s someone standing between you and unity, Scripture doesn’t say sing louder, shout harder, or give more. It says: go make it right.
Jesus connects our relationship with God to our relationship with people. He literally says, “Leave your sacrifice. Go fix it. Then come back.” That means God cares so much about our unity that He presses pause on our worship until we’ve done our part to pursue reconciliation.
Notice it doesn’t say, “If you have something against someone,” but “if someone has something against you.” Even if you don’t feel offended, if you know there’s tension, distance, or unresolved conflict, Jesus says: take initiative.
Why? Because unresolved issues fracture the body. That “chain” pastor had stretching from the cross through the congregation—every offense left unresolved becomes a gap. Each gap weakens the flow of love, protection, and spiritual authority throughout the church.
Reconciliation doesn’t always mean full restoration of relationship or trust overnight, but it does mean:
– Owning your part
– Asking forgiveness where needed
– Releasing the other person from your bitterness
– Inviting peace instead of distance
We don’t have time for long-standing divisions if we’re serious about building the “bridge” God wants to build in this season. The cost is too high, the harvest too important.
Reflection
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Your words about reconciliation are clear. I don’t want to ignore them. Show me any relationship where there is unresolved tension and where I need to take the first step. Give me courage, humility, and the right words. Prepare their heart, and help me do my part to walk in peace. I lay down my right to be “right,” and I pick up Your call to love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”
– Matthew 5:23–24 (NLT)
Devotion
Pastor made this very plain: if there’s someone standing between you and unity, Scripture doesn’t say sing louder, shout harder, or give more. It says: go make it right.
Jesus connects our relationship with God to our relationship with people. He literally says, “Leave your sacrifice. Go fix it. Then come back.” That means God cares so much about our unity that He presses pause on our worship until we’ve done our part to pursue reconciliation.
Notice it doesn’t say, “If you have something against someone,” but “if someone has something against you.” Even if you don’t feel offended, if you know there’s tension, distance, or unresolved conflict, Jesus says: take initiative.
Why? Because unresolved issues fracture the body. That “chain” pastor had stretching from the cross through the congregation—every offense left unresolved becomes a gap. Each gap weakens the flow of love, protection, and spiritual authority throughout the church.
Reconciliation doesn’t always mean full restoration of relationship or trust overnight, but it does mean:
– Owning your part
– Asking forgiveness where needed
– Releasing the other person from your bitterness
– Inviting peace instead of distance
We don’t have time for long-standing divisions if we’re serious about building the “bridge” God wants to build in this season. The cost is too high, the harvest too important.
Reflection
- As you read Matthew 5:23–24, whose face or name comes to mind?
- What’s kept you from going to them—pride, fear, embarrassment, stubbornness?
- What simple, concrete step could you take in the next 48 hours toward reconciliation (a text, a call, a coffee, a driveway visit)?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Your words about reconciliation are clear. I don’t want to ignore them. Show me any relationship where there is unresolved tension and where I need to take the first step. Give me courage, humility, and the right words. Prepare their heart, and help me do my part to walk in peace. I lay down my right to be “right,” and I pick up Your call to love. In Jesus’ name, amen.