Matthew 5:23-24, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
I value relationship alot. I've been in ministry for years now and I can boldly say that my life and ministry has benefited from flourishing relationships I nurtured from way back.
No matter how pious and devoted a man is, If he's not skilled at nurturing relationships, he may suffer repeated setbacks in life. The success of almost everything we do hinges on quality relationship.
However, relationships can experience some strain and it can break as well. This is highly possible because human interactions are without issues.
To forgive someone is not enough. After forgiving the person who offended you, the next stage is to restore the relationship.
In case you're the offender, you're expected to take steps to restore the relationship as well. If you have wronged somebody and it has caused them to have something against you, then doesn’t it seem right to go to that person and try make things right?
It is very easy to forgive people when they come to us but it is often uneasy to apologize to those we have wronged in one way or the other. Pride is the problem here.
What we want others to do to us we ought to do it unto others. In Matthew 7:12, Jesus says, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
Those who value relationships don't wait for others to come, they always make the first move. The same applies in marriage. Don't wait for your spouse to apologize before you forgive and restore your relationship. Be the first to do that for peace sake.
Broken men apologize even when they're right simply because they value their relationship above all else.
What we're learning is not human psychology, it is scriptural. Jesus taught us not to drop our offerings until we restore broken relationships.
He even commanded that we be the one to take the first step towards reconciliation and restoration.
Matthew 5:23-24, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
We are not saying that you should go seeking everyone who has offended you and vice versa. Doing that will amount to putting a burden and yoke on your neck. It is practically impossible to do that.
That also doesn't mean you'll maintain cordial relationship with everyone who offended you after forgiving them. Being around some persons is harmful and inimical to your total being. Such, forgive and maintain a healthy distance.
When you know someone has tendencies to harm you, knowing what he/she has done before, it makes no sense to always hang around such persons. That's practical wisdom. Just forgive and move on.
However, there are people and persons the Spirit of God will lay on your heart to restore broken relationship with. Those whom their relationship with you is tied to God's plan and purpose for your life. When you sense that prompting, just obey.
Don't allow pride and ego rob you of the benefits that is hidden in such destiny relationships.
Who has offended you? If you know any, please forgive. Who did you offend? If there's any, please go reconcile with the person and restore your relationship.
Kindly listen to this audio message by Bro Lanre👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽
REASONS GOOD PEOPLE MARRY BAD PEOPLE