Saying I’m Sorry

Matthew 5:23-24 ESV
“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,  leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Saying I’m sorry, most of us hate to have to do it. It’s hard to admit when we were wrong. It’s even harder to ask someone to forgive us, especially if the other person was partly to blame. 

A real apology sounds something more like this: “I was wrong to have done what I did or say what I did. I know I hurt you and I am sorry that I did. Would you please forgive me? How can I make this right?”

When we have wronged someone else, we should do whatever we can to make it right. Being reconciled to an offended brother or sister, spouse, parent or sibling should be a top priority. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

Jesus said in the verses for today, “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother…” Obviously the Lord of all, says it is more important to be reconciled with our offender before offering our gifts to God.

Prayer:
Lord, teach me to be a peacemaker, not one who just avoids people I have had a contention with, that’s not how a child of God acts. Teach me to not be offensive and not be easily offended, both cause trouble in relationships.