Matthew 5:24 (NKJV): leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
With Jesus talking about leaving your gift at the altar and go be reconciled with your brother, who you may have a problem with, He is reminding us that God does not necessarily want our sacrifices above Relationship and Obedience. In fact, We see in Isaiah 1, we see that God is chastising Sodom for sacrificing but doing it more for ritual rather than to restore their Relationship with Him. In fact, He says that their sacrifices mean nothing to Him because of this.
Isaiah 1:10-17 (NKJV): Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the law of our God, You people of Gomorrah: “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats. “When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.
We see that He is concerned more for their/our hearts to change than He is with sacrifices being provided. If He really wanted sacrifices to be provided over heart change, then He would have to apologize to Jesus because there would have been no need for Him to be a Sacrifice on The Cross for us.
Are you seeking in building a Relationship with God through Jesus? Are you seeking to restore relationships with others that you may have struggles with? Is it time to ask Him to fill your heart with Love?
If Relationships matter so much to God, then they should be a priority to us, starting with Him first. Seek Forgiveness in the areas you fall short in. Ask Him to Help you to restore your relationships with others starting with Him.
We will continue be looking at the Sermon on The Mount. Although, we need Jesus to bring us back into A Relationship with God The Father, The Sermon on The Mount deals with Heart Issues which is what we should look at when learning to have that Relationship with God.
If we are to please God, we need to allow The Holy Spirit to set us apart. We need to pursue a sinless life. We are to seek Righteousness. How do we do it? Through prayer, study, fellowship, being willing to be corrected/accountability, discipleship, and service.
It starts with Our Relationship with Jesus. If you don’t have a Relationship with Him or you need to rekindle that Relationship, do it now. Call out to Him and seek his Love and Forgiveness. It really is as hard or easy as you make it.
We should look to Him daily to seek a relationship with Him. I want to encourage you to seek Him today, if you haven’t already. If you need help, have questions or need direction in this regard, please, feel free to let me know.
Maybe today you are struggling with something. Maybe you may have found yourself not as close to The Lord as you thought. We would like to help you in this through prayer and guidance. If you find yourself in need of prayer and/or encouragement, please, feel free to call or text +1 (505) 600-1027 or email cross66info@gmail.com
Or, you can download our app at: www.pray.com/Cross66.
If you are seeking to grow in your Faith, please check out CCF College at: www.ccfcollege.com/15.html
Interested in supporting our ministry? Please, feel free to give at https://www.paypal.me/cross66
Any scripture referenced here is taken from New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted
