Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
This passage of scripture teaches us that reconciliation between individuals should be initiated by the one who is in the right, not necessarily the offender. A person who acknowledges that they have violated the rights of others can always seek a resolution to the situation through confession and repentance, however the Bible teaches us that we should not wait and hope for this to occur, but we should rather take the lead in having the matter resolved.
This is what God did in the garden of Eden after Adam and Eve had sinned. The Lord did not just wait for them to come and confess their sin, for if He had done so, He might still be waiting. God instead took the lead in seeking them so that the situation could be resolved through Jesus' sacrifice, and also that pardon and forgiveness could be offered. Let's read:
Genesis 1:8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Note verse ten especially, for that scenario and reaction is often repeated when a person knows that something wrong has been done to another. We usually hide ourselves from the person whom we offended, for it's just a part of fallen human nature. We hide behind doors, we hide behind "Caller id's", we hide by avoiding the wronged person, we hide behind excuses and we hide behind self-justification. It is because of our tendency to "Hide" that the Lord teaches us to follow His example in taking the initiative in reconciliation.
A prime example of this method and principle was demonstrated when a misunderstanding and argument broke out between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot. God had already promised the land of Canaan to Abraham, but he courteously waived his right and deferred to the younger Lot, who then chose the best of the land for himself. Lot's actions reflected a selfish heart and were not right or honorable by any stretch of the imagination, but at least the volatile situation was diffused through the forbearance, kindness, and initiative of Abraham, whose rights were obviously violated. Let's read:
Genesis 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. 5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. 6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
This experience of the forbearance of Abraham contains critically important lessons for Christians and all people living in the twenty-first century. The unity of brotherhood should always take precedence over temporal disadvantage or loss, being of much greater value in the sight of God than the material possessions a person may own. The Bible tells us not to live merely for the here and now, but rather to set our affections on God, who is the real owner of all things. We should also be willing by the grace of God to take the initiative in making reconciliation, even though we might be ill-treated or dis-enfranchised in the process of doing so. This is what Christ actually did, for He voluntarily laid down His life not merely for friends, but also for His enemies. Let's read:
Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
God is therefore calling us to repentance of our unforgiving attitudes, and tendencies to hold on to old grudges for years and years without making any efforts at reconciliation. He is calling for a change of heart whereby pride and self-interest would not prevent us from taking the initiative in resolving wrongs. He does not promise that it would be easy, but He does say that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
May this mind be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus, and may God enable us to walk in the footsteps of The Master who once said, "Follow Me". God bless!