Verse of the Day 9/10

Through the Bible - Proverbs 19-20, 2 Corinthians 5:1- 6:13

 

Good morning,

As Christians we should know the 10 commandments and we should have come to realize that we cannot fulfill them on our own.  Quite often they are looked at as external rules to be obeyed.

In His sermon on the mount, Jesus expounded on some of these commandments.  He taught that they were actually matters of the heart.  He brought higher meaning to "thou shalt not steal" and "thou shalt not kill", teaching us that the thoughts and intents of the heart were important as well as the physical act.

 

For today's verses we'll go to Mathew 5 to a passage that deals with forgiveness and reconciliation, and the importance of doing it quickly.

Matthew 5:24-25 (Amplified Bible) Leave your gift at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come back and present your gift.

²⁵Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way traveling with him, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.

The passage brings a correlation between murder, anger and hatred.  They are not all that different in the heart.  Most of us realize that left to fester, anger can have an impact on many areas of our lives.  The passage points out that it will stand in the way of true worship.

 

In verse 25 many translations say "settle your differences quickly".  I chose the Amplified Bible because it says "come to terms quickly".  Have you ever said something like "I'm not on speaking terms with that person"?  What has happened in that situation?  Chances are the longer it goes on the harder reconciliation becomes.  In fact, we may not want reconciliation at all.  It just shows our hardness of heart.

 

The passage is talking about relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Surely this kind of thing never happens among Christians, not in our churches.  (I'm being sarcastic)

 

Coming to terms quickly is good advice for us in the home, at work, and yes, at church.  You may think that no one notices, but most likely they do, and it can destroy our testimony.

 

Is there someone that you need to come to terms with?  If so, come to terms with them before you go to worship this weekend.  Make peace with your brother or sister, see what a difference it will make as you worship this weekend.

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Matt 5:21-27

 

Murder Begins in the Heart
(Luke 12:57-59)

 

21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.'  22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother,'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says,'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.  23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,  24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.  25 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.  26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.   NKJV