Quote from Forum Archives on September 25, 2001, 11:17 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

It has been a while since I have used one of my all-time
favorite personal devotionals to share with you in the Word for
Today mailing list. Oswald Chambers, the late seminary
professor, author, teacher, and inspired writer, has some of the
most direct messages of anyone I know. Sometimes, unless you are
ready for them, they may not connect with you. But if you are
already seeking God with your whole heart, Oswald's messages
often connect strongly, and convict our hearts of things that are
necessary to deal with. Personally, these messages are a
continual reminder of the things that really matter.

My friends, there was a time when I harbored resentment against
others --- not always consciously, but I did it, just the same.
There came a time when the conviction of the Holy Spirit taught
me that it just doesn't benefit either me or another to hold
anything against anyone.

Occasionally, I will find traces of resentment or some other
tidbit of anger or resentment against something or someone. As
soon as I notice it, I've learned to deal with it - right then
and there. Past resentments were almost my undoing. This
message deals head-on with this very issue, and I recommend that
even the most gentle spirited among us regularly examine our
hearts and motives. When we are reconciled with one another, we
are at peace with God. I know -- I've been there!

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

My Utmost For His Highest
September 26

The "Go" of Reconciliation

"If you ... remember that your brother has something against you
..." (Matthew 5:23).

This verse says, "If you bring your gift to the altar, and there
remember that your brother has something against you ..." It is
not saying, "If you search and find something because of your
unbalanced sensitivity," but, "If you ... remember ..." In other
words, if something is brought to your conscious mind by the
Spirit of God -- "First be reconciled to your brother, and then
come and offer your gift" (5:24). Never object to the intense
sensitivity of the Spirit of God in you when He is instructing
you down to the smallest detail.

"First be reconciled to your brother ..." Our Lord's directive is
simple -- "First be reconciled ..." He says, in effect, "Go back
the way you came -- the way indicated to you by the conviction
given to you at the altar; have an attitude in your mind and soul
toward the person who has something against you that makes
reconciliation as natural as breathing." Jesus does not mention
the other person -- He says for you to go. It is not a matter of
your rights. The true mark of the saint is that he can waive his
own rights and obey the Lord Jesus.

"... and then come and offer your gift." The process of
reconciliation is clearly marked. First we have the heroic
spirit of self-sacrifice, then the sudden restraint by the
sensitivity of the Holy Spirit, and then we are stopped at the
point of our conviction. This is followed by obedience to the
Word of God, which builds an attitude or state of mind that
places no blame on the one with whom you have been in the wrong.
And finally there is the glad, simple, unhindered offering of
your gift to God.

www.gospelcom.net/rbc/utmost/devo/09-26.shtml

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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