Ekklesia: God’s Idea of ChurchSample

Day 7: Be reconciled with one another

Have you ever had a bad fight with someone else? Hurtful words and blows easily rip loved ones apart. If no attempts at reconciliation are made thereafter, relationships often turn cold and even hostile. The involved parties think about each other with the tension and negative emotions remaining.

Jesus is serious about reconciliation. In the Sermon of the Mount, he pointed out that those who hate or insult their brothers are in danger of God’s judgement. Right relationships are central to the heart of God. If loving the Lord our God is the greatest commandment, loving our neighbour as ourself is not far behind. Notice the sequence that Jesus recommends – He says that we must first be reconciled to our brother or sister before offering our gift in worship. During that time, the altar was in Jerusalem, located far away where the Galilean listeners were. Even if they had travelled a long journey to offer their gift, they were to go back for reconciliation first. This reference shows that Jesus considered it far more important and urgent to be reconciled to our brother or sister than to offer one’s gift in worship.

Broken and strained relationships inevitably affect our relationship with God. It is difficult to claim that we love God when our heart harbours bitterness or hatred towards others (1 John 4:20). Our attitude and love towards others often reflects the state of our relationship with God. As much as possible, let’s do our part to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18), and reconcile with fellow believers that we have strained relationships with.

Reflect & Respond

• How do you typically respond in relational conflict? What can you apply from the principles in this passage?
• Is there a brother or sister that you bear anger, hatred, or bitterness towards? Before you offer your worship to God at Ekklesia Camp, take a step of faith to seek reconciliation with him/her.