Remove The Barriers & Reconcile Timeously
In this twofold article, Jesus explains to us how to remove barriers between us and others, us and God as well as why we need reconciliation timeously.
May you clearly discern the voice of the Holy Spirit ministering to you while reading this article
Remove The Barriers
“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
Jesus wants us to know that we cannot give Him an offering without being reconciled with one another.
In those days the Jews brought their sacrifices to the altar to restore the broken relationship between themselves and God.
When they have sinned in any way their sacrifices brought healing in their relationship with God.
The person would bring his gift to the altar and would place his hands on the head of the animal and confess his sins asking that his sacrifice would be for his covering.
If the person remembers any disagreement or unhappiness that anyone else may have against him, he has to be reconciled with that person or his sacrifice would have been in vain.
This is just as applicable to us as it was to the Jews in ancient times.
Many times we tithe and give donations to many organisations holding on to promises that we will be blessed without any results.
We pray for breakthroughs and seek the face of God and the waiting period seems to be never-ending.
At times we experience a barrier in our relationship with God.
I have heard people saying that it felt as if their prayers bounced right back to earth from heaven as if there was a glass barrier between them and God.
It is almost as if Jesus is telling us that unless we are reconciled with one another, even if we did not have wronged someone else, but they feel that we did if we do not attempt to make amendments to our relationship with them, there will not only be division and unhappiness between us and them but also division and a barrier between us and God.
Reconcile Timeously
“Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.”
Matthew 5:23-24
In this Scripture Jesus wants us to be reconciled, and make peace, with one another timeously, in time, and or before it is too late.
The history behind this Scripture is that the Greeks could under Greek law do a citizen’s arrest.
The person performing the citizen’s arrest would grab the offender at his robe at the back of his neck pulling it tight to prevent his offender from coming away because he could strangle himself if he resisted.
Jesus explained this same scenario in more graphic detail to us later in Matthew.
“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” “
Matthew 18:21-35
If we fail to make peace with one another before time runs out, we might have become strangled and be handed over to the torturers.
Being peacemakers and forgiving others is not something we do for their benefit, but we are the ones who would reap the benefits of it.
We will be freed from the chains of hurt and bitterness and experience God’s peace, forgiveness, and blessings.
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
Romans 12:18
As much as it depends on us, we have to do our best to live in peace with others.
Some people would not want to make peace or live in peace, but as much as it depends on us we should always strive to be the better one.
Tips For When You Want To Make Peace With Someone:
- Pray before going to the person, asking that God will keep you calm, and collected and give you the right words to speak at the proper time.
- Speak alone to the person first.
- Avoid words and phrases like ‘if’ and ‘whatever you think I have done to you’.
- Listen calmly without interrupting the person before giving your version.
- When you speak do it with tact and consideration towards the other person without making unfounded accusations.
- Always apologize. If you are not guilty then tell the person that you did not do that, but that you still want to apologize for the misunderstanding and that it is important to you that the both of you can put it behind you.
- If the person does not want to make peace or want to be reconciled, then take one or two persons with you to speak to them.
- If they still do not want to be reconciled then pray about it asking for God’s guidance and surrendering the situation to Him.
In conclusion, I just want to repeat what I have said in some of my other articles as well.
If you are in an abusive relationship do not try to apply this to your situation before consulting with a Christian counselor or professional psychiatrist.
Your life is too precious to put yourself in danger by trying to live a peaceful life with people who do not want the same.
I know that there are situations in life where the harder you try to have a peaceful relationship with them, the harder their efforts will be to make your life a living hell.
Whatever your circumstances and situation may be, pray about it, asking God’s guidance and help for you to be the better one.
We all run this race with faith and love to be rewarded the special price to spend our eternal lives with God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
On judgment day we all have to give account for our own conduct, we cannot say: “But yes, Lord, you know so and so did this and that to me, and that is why I behaved the way I did.”
Maybe God will then answer by saying something like this: “No, not them, their judgment will come. I am not talking about them. You, I am judging you, you did not follow me and obey my Word.” (John 21:20-22)
As far as it depends on us let us strive towards living in peace with others and remove all barriers between us and God to reap the rewards of open communication between us and Him and at the end of our race be rewarded with eternal life.
Let’s Get Practical
Application: As far as it is possible, as much as depends on us, we have to do whatever we can to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18).
Prayer points: Pray that the Lord will help you to process hurt and disappointment by saying aloud throughout your prayer time and day: I forgive (name of person), acquit (name of person), and set (name of person) free. Pray Romans 12:19-21.
Promise: Your gifts and sacrifices will be accepted by God and you can be assured that there are no barriers between you and God. On judgment day you will also be acquitted for your sins if you forgive others their trespasses as well.
You may also like to read the article on Who Are The Peacemakers? from the Beatitude Series.
Help us to enrich others with the Words Jesus spoke in the AT HIS FEET SERIES by sharing this article on social media.
We invite you to visit our Blog Library to see if there are other articles from Tabitha Blogs that interest you.
Everything in Him, unto Him, and to glorify His Holy Name!
Grammarly proofread this article.
