Matthew 5:23-24 “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”.
Making peace with those whom we have intentionally or unintentionally offended is a crucial part of a pleasing offering. Our gift/sacrifice will be set aside if we are not willing to settle claims with those who are hurt or wounded by our inadvertent or deliberate actions or inactions. Our prayer closet is our altar and our praise and worship is our offering or sacrifice. Unless the fire from heaven falls on our offering our gift has not been accepted. Jesus expounded that the heavens will be shut to our praise, petition and penitence if we hoard unforgiveness or offense in our heart. Pay a visit, make a call or send an email or a text message asking for forgiveness. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18). We have no control over the offended receiving our apology but it is important for us to extend our sincere regret and admission of guilt. No offense is too small or big to be ignored. Offering/sacrifice without reconciliation will not be accepted.
The same principle of forgiveness and reconciliation applies to self-forgiveness and reconciliation with God. There are a lot of people even within the walls of the church who are angry, resentful and bitter with God.
Forgiveness is not a onetime act of reconciliation. Healing of the heart happens in stages and so does forgiveness. Forgiveness is like peeling an onion. When one layer is peeled there is another fresh layer. Every time a past offence and the offender come to our mind, it is important to bless, pray and release them. Then take the blood of Jesus and wipe away the incident from your memory. What is seen cannot be unseen but the blood can wipe away derogatory, demeaning and detestable memories. Reconciliation restores our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Acceptable Offerings:
1. Peace: Prayer and praise is the offering on our altar and if offense is hidden in the heart, our praise will not be accepted nor will our prayers be answered. If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear (Psalm 66:18). Anger, hostility or resentment will defile our peace offering.
2. Pleasing: Uncorrupted heart and clean lips are pleasing offerings to the Lord. “Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD” (Psalm 4:5). Prayer is not complaining but confessing and forgiving. Offering ourselves without reservations will make our offering pleasing.
3. Pure: Pure and sincere heart is an acceptable offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God (Psalm 51:17). Those who sincerely apologize to the offended and to God will never repeat their mistakes.
Offerings without reconciliation will be rejected by heaven.
Psalm 54:6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good.
Prayer: Father Divine, I surrender any unpeeled layers of offense and unforgiveness hiding and hoarding in my heart. Create in me a clean heart. Amen.
Leave a Reply