Accountability Before Acceptability

I've read it at least a dozen times.  And how in the world did I miss it?  The words seem larger than life... now.

And isn't that how it is with the Word of God?  His word - - it's alive and powerful and life-changing, but so often we pass right by without seeing the truth.  And so it happened to me a couple months ago.

Matthew 5:23 and 24 say this,

"So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the alter in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the alter.  Go and be reconciled to that person.  Then come and offer your sacrifice to God."

Do you see it?

Because I had missed it.  For years I had read this scripture with a selfish interpretation.  Because after all, the human side tends to see things from a narcissistic viewpoint.

You see, for years I interrupted this portion of text to be about me.  I read it the way my brain wanted to read it, like this: "... if you suddenly remember that you have something against someone else... leave your sacrifice at the alter."  For decades I have misinterpreted this passage to be all about my releasing of forgiveness to someone else because of something they did TO ME.  But, friends, that's not it at all.

Jesus says if you, "... suddenly remember that someone has something against you..."  

Could it be that it's the admission of my wrong that opens me up to receiving His grace?  Could it be that my sacrifice of praise is useless until I've painfully acknowledged all the sick sin that still remains deep within my heart?

"Leave your sacrifice there at the alter."  Because what I've been asking God for cannot be granted when I am UN-reconciled to another.  And Jesus tells us that it's this "offering time" that serves as the best time for recollection and self-scrutinity.  Self examination.  And not, "Who has done to me, but what is it that I could have done to someone else?"

This is so important!

The question isn't, "Who's hurt me?" but rather, "Who have I hurt?"

It's about an internal state of mind, not an external act of worship.

Offering... my offering... your offering... cannot be made acceptable when our conduct is not properly managed.

1 Samuel 15:22 says, "... obedience is better than sacrifice"  And so it could just be that WHAT I am bringing is not as important as WHO I am serving.  This whole thing could be less about presentation and more about preparation.

The preparation of my heart for all He has for me.

His word is clear - and I see it now.  For years the veil concealed the correct translation:

1. We must do justice to our fellow man in order for worship to be acceptable.  Jesus says you show your true commitment to me by your authentic connection to others.
2. We must live at peace with everyone in order for worship to be acceptable.  Jesus asks that we, "live peaceably with all men."  {Romans 12:18}.
3. We must seek reconciliation.  The call of the Christian is to initiate harmonious living.

Our sinful human nature tends to cherish improper feelings concerning this duty.  We selfishly wait for an apology, all the while unknowingly sabotaging our own blessing... short-circuiting our own connection to His goodness, mercy, and grace.

Offering cannot be acceptable when conduct is not properly managed.  We are accountable before we are acceptable.

Oh God, that You would do the work necessary in us!  That we would see all that is within us that does not bring honor and glory to Your name, and then work like mad to reconcile all that is busted, broken, and bruised.

Finding JOY in the JOurneY,

Wendy