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NASB | Matthew 5:24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 5:24 leave your offering there at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come and present your offering. |
Bible Question:
I know tht verse well. However, at the alter, I am not offering a gift, but rather seeking the forgiveness from God. How could one expect others to forgive if they have not sought forgiveness from God first ? Without the forgiveness from God, how could one forgive themselves? Without Forgiveness of self, would their be a true repentant heart? When we sin is it not a sin against God first, as we are His children? |
Bible Answer: The question may better be; Aren’t we unfit to commune with God until we forgive. Mark 11:25 (NASB) 25"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. Is the offering acceptable to God if offered with an unrepentant heart? Or in the present case, seeking God’s forgiveness at the altar is a religious exercise, is it a proper exercise if you hold malice, envy, discontent or any form of wrath in our heart when we approach God? 1 Timothy 2:8 (NASB) 8Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. Isaiah 1:15 (NASB) 15"So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen Your hands are covered with blood. Love is better than any sacrifice or gift you can offer. So much better that God will wait for the gift (or whatever the act may be) until reconciliation is made with the brother rather than receiving it while we are still under the guilt of our quarrel or disagreement. WOS |