September 26, 2011
If you . . . remember that your brother has something against you . . . —Matthew 5:23
This verse says, “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you . . . .” It is not saying, “If you search and find something because of your unbalanced sensitivity,” but, “If you . . . remember . . . .” In other words, if something is brought to your conscious mind by the Spirit of God— “First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:24). Never object to the intense sensitivity of the Spirit of God in you when He is instructing you down to the smallest detail.
“First be reconciled to your brother . . . .” Our Lord’s directive is simple— “First be reconciled . . . .” He says, in effect, “Go back the way you came— the way indicated to you by the conviction given to you at the altar; have an attitude in your mind and soul toward the person who has something against you that makes reconciliation as natural as breathing.” Jesus does not mention the other person— He says for you to go. It is not a matter of your rights. The true mark of the saint is that he can waive his own rights and obey the Lord Jesus.
“. . . and then come and offer your gift.” The process of reconciliation is clearly marked. First we have the heroic spirit of self-sacrifice, then the sudden restraint by the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit, and then we are stopped at the point of our conviction. This is followed by obedience to the Word of God, which builds an attitude or state of mind that places no blame on the one with whom you have been in the wrong. And finally there is the glad, simple, unhindered offering of your gift to God.
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September 26, 2011
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Lord, over and over again you set the mark so high it is almost impossible for me to obey. And when I rely on my own understanding or strength, it is absolutely impossible. I am not spiritual enough to reach the standards you set. Perhaps others are good enough, strong enough, “spiritual” enough, but I am not. In this case, you tell me that if somebody else has a grudge against me that I am to initiate the reconciliation; that I am to ask forgiveness……and it is their issue. Here you are telling me that if another person has an issue with me, and it is their problem with me, not mine with them…that I am to reach out, and ask forgiveness. It is clear Lord, that I can only do this, when I am truly connected to You. When you are living Your life through me.
And God says…”That is correct. I set the mark (s) so high that you can only truly obey when you are surrendered to Me. And rest in knowing that all have fallen short of the mark, not just you. Everyone falls short, when they “try” to reach the standards I set with a modicum of their own “goodness”. You can only come to Me with the “goodness” of Jesus covering even the very best you can or could achieve. In this case I speak to you of asking forgiveness even when you did nothing wrong, in another verse I remind you that if you even “think” about doing the wrong think it is “off the mark”. Who can save you from this unachievable standard? Jesus. Simply surrender to Jesus and let Him respond as I require. Let Him respond with obedience you cannot.”
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