Forgiveness and Reconciliation

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,  leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

    “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.  I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:23-26

God is a God of reconciliation. He wants us to be reconciled to others. The above verses testify to the fact that God sees reconciliation as more important than worship!  Really? Could it be that we really can't have a right relationship with God unless we deal with our relationships on earth.  Sometimes though reconciliation seems impossible.  It could be that the other person is unrepentant, abusive, or unwilling to reconcile. Sometimes it isn't wise to reconcile and go back into relationship with someone.  You know that they haven't changed and that you are just going to get hurt all over again.  Or worse yet, you know you will be abused again. Many people feel that if they can't be reconciled then they can't forgive.  However, we should never let the lack of reconciliation impede forgiveness.  We must forgive even if the relationship is never reconciled. Also, just because there is no reconciliation doesn't mean that there is no forgiveness. We can forgive...we need to forgive even if the relationship is never restored.