Wednesday 13th March
Read Matthew 5:23-26
“‘Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 ‘Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” (NIVUK)
The practical implications Jesus draws from the sixth commandment, on reflection, are astounding. He exhorts those listening to sort out personal issues with others immediately and urgently. Perhaps because they could ultimately lead to bloodshed, in extreme situations, but mostly because they are symptoms of devaluing others. Anger and schism, long-standing feuds, should never be allowed to persist.
There is a place for righteous anger. Jesus was angry at many injustices. But the anger that He addresses here is not quite the same. The two examples provided make that clear. They are both personal, one from church with a brother, and another with an enemy taking you to task. The principle is the same though – urgently deal with it. Don’t let it go too far. Drop everything to sort it out as quickly as you can. Imagine if we all heeded that warning?
Paul makes the same point when writing to the Ephesian believers. Holiness is practical and personal and urgent. “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body. 26 ‘In your anger do not sin’: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:22-27) (NIVUK).
Anything urgent need addressing today?
