DCLM Daily Manna Friday 25 October 2024
topic: Take A Break
Text: Matthew 5:23-25 (KJV)
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
“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
Matthew 5:23,24
DCLM Daily Manna Friday 25 October 2024 Message
A British preacher and writer, Dr. F. E. Marsh, gave a message on the subject of reconciliation and was confronted by a young man who told him, “Pastor… I’ve stolen from my employer, and I’m ashamed to tell him about it… I have often talked to him about Christ, but he only laughs at me. In my work, expensive copper nails are used because they won’t rust in water. I’ve been taking some of them home… I’m afraid if I tell my boss what I’ve done and offer to pay for them, he’ll think I’m a hypocrite, and I’ll never be able to reach him for Christ. Yet, my conscience is bothered.”
Seeing the preacher again, he exclaimed, “Pastor, I’ve settled that matter and I’m so relieved.” “What happened when you told your boss?” asked the minister. “Oh, he looked at me intently and said, ‘George, I’ve always thought you were a hypocrite, but now I’m not so sure… Any religion that makes a man admit he’s been stealing… and offer to settle for them must be worth having.’”
READ DCLM Daily Manna 24 October 2024 – Fire In The Bosom
Our focus is on the issue of forgiveness and reconciliation among sincere believers. No Christian should harbour unforgiving spirit in the heart because it is contrary to Christ’s teachings, which is anchored on love. When we refuse to forgive someone who has offended us, it is a clear manifestation of heart depravity. However, it is even trickier when we are the object of the scourge of unforgiving spirit, rendered as “…thy brother hath ought against thee…”
We are not excused from blame because the grudge is borne by someone else. The Bible commands that on the realization of such a grudge, we should “…leave there [our] gift before the altar…” and seek reconciliation first.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Forgiveness is liberating; it releases a person from bondage.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 12-14
