TOPIC: YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS MUST COME BEFORE SERVICE

God's blessings shall be following you continually for taking the time to study. 

DATE: SATURDAY AUGUST 10, 2024

TOPIC: YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS MUST COME BEFORE SERVICE  

TEXT:  MATTHEW 5:23-25

23. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 

24. Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 

KEY VERSE:  MATTHEW 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

The bible emphasizes the priority and necessity of reconciliation with an offended brother, sister or neighbor before offering our gifts to God in worship or service. While the unresolved matters remain, our offering, sacrifice, worship or service cannot be acceptable to God. 

The gift we bring to God may appear great and very significant while the offended brother appears small and insignificant, yet restitution and reconciliation are necessary. The situation or the ought may be known only between the offended and offender, yet reconciliation will be necessary and it is not to be delayed. The fault or blame may be on both sides, yet the one who remembers that his brother has ought against him is not excusable. 

To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. To continue offering our gifts and laboring in the service of the Lord without reconciling with our brother to restore Christian fellowship, will result in giving the sacrifice of fools. Such sacrifice or service is unacceptable to God. 

Acceptable worship or service is always offered from a heart that is void of offence toward God and toward men. 

Agree with thine adversary quickly. We ought to carefully restore and preserve Christian love and fellowship. If at any time there is strained relationship we must seek peace with urgency. “As much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” 

Take the initiative to have reconciliation, by confessing your fault, humbling yourself before your brother, asking for his pardon and making restitution for wrong done in word or deed. Reconcile with the offended brother and meekly endure being cheated rather than going to the law court to settle differences.

This quick agreement with the adversary does not imply yielding or submitting our will or soul to the adversary the devil. Resist him until he flees from you. Do not compromise the faith with the adversaries who are persecutors. 

Thought for the day: Service without righteousness is labor without eternal rewards.

Song for the day: Christian walk carefully

Bible reading for the day: Jeremiah 22-24

#Horemow.