Peace With Men

God is Peace, and as His children we receive that peace and give out that peace to others. This world is full of divisions and discords and we are constantly seeking and striving for peace. The world is constantly making “peace treaties” but what we really need is the Prince of Peace.

Those who are in Christ are peacemakers and constantly live in peace with others.

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

Our worship to God must include a review of our relationships with men. Notice the word “remember” in verse 23? To God, spirituality is eminently practical. Obviously Jesus does not separate our worship from our relationships. Fellowship with fellow believers is as important as worship. But it can be harder than worship. Worship that neglects relationship with God is idolatry. But worship that neglects relationship with other believers is hypocrisy. 

20 If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John 4:20-21)

Worship and fellowship are related and connected. We may have many things we want to give to God – our talents, our money, our time, or our service. Yet, the command says to leave our gift at the altar and ‘first be reconciled’ to our brother and then come again and offer the gift.

Peter emphasizes this point to husbands when he tells us to be in right relationship with our wives that our prayers ‘be not hindered”,

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7).

Prayer: Father, help me put on the lens of love that You have given us, to see all those around me through Your eyes. Help me love others as You love me. If I have been wronged by others, help me to forgive and also to forgive myself for any wrongdoing I have done to others. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen!