The Great Little Word – Sorry

“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
Matthew 5:23, 24 NKJ

Just look at the importance that God places on our being reconciled to one another. Even when we bring a gift to God he says he would rather we were reconciled to our brother.

Saying sorry is often all that it takes.

We all from time to time cause offence, but when we do we should apologise as quickly as possible.

Listen to what the Apostle Paul had to say, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8)

When we offend, even innocently, we are in the debt of that person; we owe them something, at least an apology. Paul says that we are not to be in debt in this way. In stead we are to show love to them and surely this begins with us saying ‘sorry’.

As we can see from today’s verse God says that this also affects our relationship with Him. He wants more than anything that we love one another, that we are reconciled and in unity. He wants us to love one another because He loves us – all of us. When the relationship between brothers (and sisters) breaks down it threatens our relationship with God.

God really does want one happy family, and the way that we can contribute to that is to be sure that when we owe someone an apology we give it quickly.

Prayer
Our Father in heaven, Stir in me that spirit of humility that will recognise the need to make calm what I may have troubled. Let me be a vessel of your peace and to be quick to say “I’m sorry” when I have caused offence.
Amen

Study by David Stirk