WHO MUST TAKE THE INITIATIVE IN THE MATTER OF EFFECTING FORGIVENESS?
WHO MUST TAKE THE INITIATIVE IN THE MATTER OF EFFECTING FORGIVENESS?
A. The offender.
Matthew 5:23-24 - 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.
2. The shortest distance way to God may be the distance to your brother’s house.
3. If the inspired instructions of this passage were followed, a lot of worship services would be delayed until the brethren returned.
4. Friends, there is no use trying to talk to God if we are not on speaking terms with our brother.
B. The Offended.
Matthew 18:15-17 - Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'
And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
1. So many times the attitude is taken, ‘Well, he sinned against me, so let him take the initiative.”
2. Again I ask, “Who will step forward and be the bigger person.”
3. Was not the God the offended One, and yet He took the initiative to reconcile mankind back to Himself in sending Jesus to die for our sins.
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