Christianity is actually Judaism as God planned it. We serve the Jewish Messiah who is the Lamb of God that takes away sins (John 1:29). We are the chosen people (1 Peter 2:9), grafted into the tree (Rom 11:24). So we have to ask, do we still follow the Jewish law? Of course, the Bible is not unclear on that. Christ said He came to fulfill the law (Matt 5:17), so we no longer offer lambs for sin, but we do offer the Lamb for our sin. We no longer go to temple because we are the temple (1 Cor 3:16-17). The Old Testament food laws were abrogated in the New Testament (Mark 7:18-19; Acts 10:15). So we find some laws are no longer in effect for this new Judaism we call Christianity.
Which brings me to my question. Jesus said, "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering" (Matt 5:23-24). Is that a command that applies to us today? I know that a significant number of Christians go to church or to their prayer closet or wherever knowing someone has something against them and they do nothing to be reconciled to that someone. I wouldn't doubt I'm guilty of it. So we pray and praise and go on as if nothing is wrong when this command hangs over us. How? Do we think that the other person isn't mad enough to pursue us, so we have nothing to worry about? Do we think it's not bad enough to take care of? Do we just expect them to forgive us and move on? Or is this command one of the Old Testament commands we can eject now? I can see why that might be an option. We no longer "present an offering at the altar" since the sacrificial system is gone. But we do present an offering. We do "continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God" (Heb 13:15). We do present our bodies as a "living sacrifice" as an act of worship (Rom 12:1). So I'm kind of stuck here.
Jesus gave this command, and if we're to be Christians, followers of Christ, I'd think we'd want to pursue this question more carefully. How diligent are we in reconciling to those we've wronged? Maybe they've forgiven us without our asking, but that doesn't erase the need to reconcile, does it? Do we care about reconciling with others as part of our worship with God? Do you have someone you've wronged without reconciling? I think we (each of us) need to examine the Scriptures and our hearts to see if we're not glossing over a potentially serious problem.
For me, this consideration arises most often regarding my relationships with my siblings (and in-laws), none of whom are believers. Many people (co-workers, neighbors, church friends, etc.) have gone in and out of my life over the past 50+ years, but siblings and in-laws are fairly constant; thus they have had many years to observe my attitudes and actions towards them. I am mindful that the state of my heart will be reflected in my behavior, so I strive to keep it right before God--with the fervent intention of never causing or contributing to estrangements but instead mending them.
ReplyDeleteAt my church, we take communion weekly. Before each taking of the sacrament, our pastor warns that if someone has something against us, we should refrain from taking communion and getting right with that person.
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