Being reconciled with others

[Heath18]

What does Jesus mean in Matthew 5 : 23 - 24?

When He is speaking of sacrifices in the Temple, does He mean when we are praying, since our bodies are His Temple? (1 Corinthians 6 : 19 - 20)

Should I worry about disputes I've had with people long ago?

Should I only be concerned if someone I know has a grudge against me or has said they do not forgive me for something?

 

[mukk_in]

What does Jesus mean in Matthew 5 : 23 - 24?

When He is speaking of sacrifices in the Temple, does He mean when we are praying, since our bodies are His Temple? (1 Corinthians 6 : 19 - 20)

Should I worry about disputes I've had with people long ago?

Should I only be concerned if someone I know has a grudge against me or has said they do not forgive me for something?

Unsettled debts, arguments that led to strained relationships, unforgiveness may be some of the issues the Lord Jesus is referring to. If you feel that a brother or sister has an issue then its better to have a chat with them and settle it. Most Christians are willing to forgive or write off small debts and festering issues. If its an irreconcilable difference like the argument Paul had with Barnabas (Acts 15:36-39), then its better to depart but on good terms. Hope that helps. Peace in Christ.

 

[St_Worm2]

Hi Heath, remember that when Jesus was born and when He taught the people, He was doing so among Jews who were still under the Law/Old Covenant. So the "Temple" He spoke of was Solomon's Temple, and the altar He spoke of was for animal sacrifices. The "final" sacrifice, the only one that, in the end, truly, matters .. cf Hebrews 10:4 (His death on the Cross), hadn't happened yet.

Whether in OT times, or in church today, God will not accept our worship if we have wronged another and not (at least) tried to reconcile with him/her, so reconciliation with a family member, friend and/or neighbor (in the broadest sense) must come before worship whenever possible (sometimes the offended party will not reconcile and there is nothing you can do about that .. other than pray for them).

As for past disputes/debts, etc., the Bible says that we should do our best to do good and to live at peace with all men .. e.g. Galatians 6:9-10. So, if you can correct a wrong that occurred in your past, you should strive to do so, both for the sake of the person you have wronged, as well for your conscience sake, and to please/glorify God.

As for forgiveness, if you have apologized and asked someone to forgive you, but they choose not to, then you have done what you can and you need to move on with your walk .. as the ball is now in their court so to speak (though, again, praying for them is always a good idea).

If you owe someone a debt of some kind, that will need to be repaid, of course, unless the person you owe it to decides to forgive it.

Yours and His,
David

Romans 13
8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
.​

 

[Jonathan Leo]

What does Jesus mean in Matthew 5 : 23 - 24?

When He is speaking of sacrifices in the Temple, does He mean when we are praying, since our bodies are His Temple? (1 Corinthians 6 : 19 - 20)

Should I worry about disputes I've had with people long ago?

Should I only be concerned if someone I know has a grudge against me or has said they do not forgive me for something?

I struggled with this for a long time because a brother in Christ hated me saying your not of Christ because I called him out saying he is wearing a mask.
An innocent photo of him in a bar was shared on Facebook and he got very very angry. The photo was innocent but the Christian friends on his Facebook could see he was drinking alcohol. Yet he lives in the pub and drinks daily, he was embarrassed to what others taught of him.
The same guy has caused division between myself and other Christians.
God clearly tells us to cut off those who cause division

If a brother or sister does wrong, point out their faults and if they repent, everything is cool cause we gain a brother. If they don’t, tell other Christians and if he still don’t repent tell the leaders. If after that they still live in sin, kick him out.

In life I learnt two things.

If people are genuine in their sorry, they try their best to reunite the relationship

Forgiveness sets the victim free but just because you forgive doesn’t mean that the wrong doer is sorry.

It is best practice if we do wrong to others to try and reconcile with each other.
Let’s live in peace with each other as long as it depends on you. That means if you have done wrong to your brother, go and reconcil with him. Unfortunately that doesn’t mean if they do wrong that you be a door mat.
I have cut off that brother because he has caused the following.
1. He gossiped lies against me
2. He told a person we were talking about them in person. He added lies to it so he was made good and I made bad
3. He caused division between me and other Christians. My help was no longer asked of in the charity hope for the homeless
4. He constantly drained me. I now suspect he is a narcissist
5. I tried to calm him down about the picture taken in the pub for the best part of 4 hours. When he told me I’m not like Christ, I had it

My downfall is I used His weakness against him. He hate being told to F - off. So I Dugmy claws in and told him to F- off. I knew it sealed the relationship destroyed but I had enough of him. Being honest looking back at it He is a wolf in sheeps clothing and plenty of scripture shows to cut theses people off.

There is forgiveness of wrong doing and there’s taking the mick of ones forgiveness.
I forgive him for his wrongdoing but I will not be friends anymore. Jesus didn’t keep going back to those who wronged Him, we are to follow in His footsteps.

By the way, we encountered each other lots since then, will he apologize?? Err No so I’m leaving Him to God. Let God deal with him