My Devotion to Him #245
Do you have a talent or a gift? Do you feel that you might not be getting recognized or received? Does it seem that God is not blessing you? Sometimes it’s a matter of patience, tithe, or even something that we might not think about often because it involves something we all too often do not like to deal with; us and others.
“If you are offering your gift at the alter and remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift, go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly.”
Don’t be led by your wounded ego, pride, self centeredness; be led by the Word of God. If someone has issue with you take it up with them. Not in such a demeaning form, or anger. But instead, bring it to the surface in a Godly conversation. They are your brothers and sisters in Christ. God has called for us to reconcile with them but they may not be forgiving. It is not our responsibility to give forgiveness if someone has taken offense against us. It is our call or mandate to seek reconciliation though we may not obtain forgiveness. Therefore we are still fulfilling the call that God has placed on us. Now they themselves will have to deal with God on the matter of forgiveness. It is our call to seek out and to try to obtain reconciliation.
We may run into a situation that the person who has offense against us may no longer be around. Maybe they moved and cannot find a contact for them. Maybe they have passed away. Nevertheless, this actually does not relieve us of the mandate.
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Share your feelings with someone worthy of your trust. Pray with them, and openly confess you’re wrongs and the guilt you feel (this has not relation to the confessional prayer in Catholicism.) Prayer and the presence of an affirming friend can provide you with the peace of mind you seek. After David murdered Uriah, his lover’s husband, his guilt was overwhelming and he sought God’s forgiveness. But Uriah wasn’t around to hear this confession; He’d been dead almost a year now. So David turned to Nathan the prophet and poured out his heart saying, “I have sinned.” Nathan listened patiently and told him, “The Lord has taken away your sin.” Follow David’s example and then put this issue behind you so that you may be able to move on.
This is another reason I truly believe that we are called to gather as a united body. Not only to be around those we may have offended and so we may be close to reconcile with them inside the house of God but also that we may be able to be around them so we can grow. It is a place in which we may find like minded and trusting brothers or sisters that we may pour out too during our time of sin. By doing so I believe our body is mended. I believe our church is more united and becomes a closer body. I believe it is here that we find acceptance, friends, mercy, growth, compassion, love, and unity when we are all together in His house helping each other.
What the Bible is talking about here is not the same as the Catholic church in regards to priestly confession. Rather it is a chance for us to be there as support to help pick up our fallen brothers and sisters. It is a chance for us to help bring the love and compassion of Christ to our brothers and sisters. This is where our churches can grow more in the manner of family. When our arm is hurt we help it by using the other arm. When our stomach is in pain we use our hands to get medicine to help bring relief. The same should be true as the body fo Christ. Each member is another part of the whole body and each member can help the other.
We must resolve our issues before trying to do more in the kingdom. Because more cannot be effective in kingdom business nor in right standing with God if there are unresolved issues. In fact this is the more important to God at the moment that all issues be resolved. We cannot continue if issues bring hinderance to His presence, brings hinderance to growth, that could start to stir up hate, hurt, strife, and start to allow ungodly things into the church body which results in the body fighting an infection. If that infection is not found out, the body will become weak, the body will not be able to fulfill the agenda of the Lamb.
God bless!
Verses studied:
- Matthew 5:23-25
- James 5:16
- John 20:23
- 2nd Samuel 12:13
Copyright © 2020 by Jacob Olinger
Spirit Warrior Ministry 