FRIDAY February 28, 2020
Make Peace Quickly
“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. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.”
Matthew 5:25-26
It is important to understand that those called to follow Jesus must forgive others. Believers are not to linger in settling matters with someone who has become their adversary. They are to make things right between them as much as possible. They should quickly make peace with anyone who has become an enemy through strife, unforgiveness or disagreements.
Jesus gave an analogy of a person thrown in prison and unable to get out. How are they going to pay a debt if they are in prison? Once the judgment has been pronounced, there is no longer an opportunity to make things right. From this lesson, we learn it is best, while we have the opportunity, to forgive others and to be reconciled. Jesus warned of the consequences of a person who is not willing to forgive:
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).
You can forgive others of their sins, on the premise that God has forgiven you of your sins. Christians have a duty to try and make reconciliation; then they can let God be the judge between them both (Romans 12:18). Think about it. Who do you need to forgive today?
Forgiveness is not that stripe which says, “I will forgive, but not forget.” It is not to bury the hatchet with the handle sticking out of the ground, so you can grasp it the minute you want it.
~D.L. Moody~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!