Bearing One Another's Burdens
An Appeal for Reconciliation
Matthew 5:21-26 The Message
Murder
21-22 “You’re
familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling
you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is
guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might
find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a
sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is
that words kill.
23-24 “This
is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter
your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly
remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave
immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only
then, come back and work things out with God.25-26 “Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you’re likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. If that happens, you won’t get out
The
truth is words do hurt. With words one murders the soul. How many
times have you said, "He (She) is the one who owes me an apology." If
you are the one who feels harmed, why lay the burden on the other to
initiate reconciliation? He or she may not know that he or she has
harmed you. You are the one feeling hurt. You are the one who is
responsible to initiate reconciliation. You are the one who must
forgive and hold no grudge so that reconciliation can move forward. You
are the one who must take the first step. Vendetta and revenge is no
path toward reconciliation,
Pray
that
you will be able to forgive all transgressions as God has forgiven
yours. Pray that you will be willing to risk the first step toward
reconciling harms.
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