Home of Grace
Matthew 5:24Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. The sequence is blunt: leave, go, first be reconciled, then come. Worship without peacemaking is out of order. First prioritizes the person over the ritual moment. Go implies movement toward the offended. September is a fine time to end a cold war that has lasted too long. Reconciled does not always mean instant warmth; it means earnest pursuit of peace with truth. Then come—God welcomes worship after love has been obeyed. Delay the satisfying religious feeling until obedience catches up. Someone is waiting on your go. Leave the gift. Make the call. Return lighter because love led the schedule.
PrayerLord, I will leave my gift and go—help me seek reconciliation first, then return to worship with a clear path. Amen.
