matthew 5:23-24

[ray]

What doe Matthew 5:23-24 mean?

23"So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. 25Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late and you are dragged into court, handed over to an officer, and thrown in jail. 26I assure you that you won't be free again until you have paid the last penny.

Thanks

ray

[rfw]

At the time Jesus said these words, the Temple and the sacrificial system were still in place but the meaning behind them seems plain enough. If there is conflict between you and a brother, you should be reconciled before you continue in worship. As for the leaving the gift while you seek out your brother, that would emphasize that you are not leaving reconciliation to a future day, but acknowledging that you must do it quickly, before you can change your mind or convince yourself that it's not necessary. Our actions and attitudes can influence our enjoyment of our relationship with Christ. It is vital for us to be quick to forgive or seek forgiveness within the Body, so that our faith-walk with God is not hindered. This idea is further explored in Matt. 6:14-15.

[kewler then ^]

Simply put, you must forgive your enemies before you yourself may be forgiven.

[Kabowd]

Sacrifice and personal acts of piety mean nothing if they don't flow from a heart that lives the truth of the gospel.

[Christian's_Daughter]

Simply put, you must forgive your enemies before you yourself may be forgiven.

This is a good answer, I like that.

[vitality22004]

If you have unforgiveness in your heart, God cannot hear your prayers because the key to prayers heard and answered is that they are asked in the name of Jesus who died to bring us forgiveness.

[EricH]

The principle is that our devotion to God cannot be separated from how we treat others. The two are connected

[Openly Curious]

Simply put, you must forgive your enemies before you yourself may be forgiven.

This is it in a nutshell if you want G-d to accept your offerings for atonement then you must be free from guilt towards others and so forgive them their tresspasses if you want yours to be forgiven by G-d scripture teaches us even 70x70.

OC

[WISDOM]

Sacrifice and personal acts of piety mean nothing if they don't flow from a heart that lives the truth of the gospel.

EXCELLENT response!

[Guest jckduboise]

In order to be forgiven we must forgive. We cannot have a true relationship with our Father if he are harboring hatred in our hearts for another. I say hatred because if we are unable to forgive then we hate.