Matthew 5:21-26
Settle Matters Quickly
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:43-48
Love Your Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Hosea 6:6
God Desires Mercy Not Sacrifice
6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
When I read these verses today from the Sermon on the Mount, I thought of forgiving others...Forgiveness is not an easy thing to do personally...But it is very easy for me to tell others to go and forgive someone...So it is like telling a good friend that he needs to go and forgive someone else that has harmed him...Another person telling them to forgive is such an easy thing to do, but for them it is hard...And forgiveness is a great thing and almost everyone agrees in the concept of forgiveness...So everyone says forgiveness is this great idea, until they have to personally forgive someone...And then, when it is their turn and they need to forgive a specific someone, it seems altogether different and much harder (than telling your friend to go and forgive someone)...So forgiving is easy until it is my turn...
When Jesus gave us His Sermon on the Mount, He talks about murder in the same breath as being angry with your brother or neighbor...This is a hard teaching...Our being angry, being mad, and having mean feelings start in the heart...And He tells us and teaches us to settle our matters quickly (forgive others quickly) with our brothers or any adversary and then move on...It is tough to do these things when we are mad and angry...Forgiveness is very tough, when we still are holding on to anger...But true forgiveness comes from the heart...And He wants us to forgive quickly and move on with our lives...So He not only wants us to forgive others, when it is our turn, but to do it quickly...
His comments about settling issues quickly and forgiving also happens to deal with a more overarching problem in our society...He wants His followers to reconcile matters with all people...Even with our enemies...Are all people forgiving, including myself?...Are people around the world settling their internal conflicts with others rapidly, or are they holding on to these feelings in their hearts?...Would conflicts in the world be much lessened if we could forgive and forgive quickly?...Forgiving quickly and loving your enemy are radical ideas...And He tells us to take away those things that get in our way of having mercy and forgiving...Jesus is not telling us to harm or mutilate ourselves, but we are to run from and avoid those things that do not allow us to show mercy or forgive others in our hearts...
Our LORD is a forgiving LORD...He has always desired mercy over sacrifice and burnt offerings...The ancient sacrifices and burnt offerings were for the sins that we did... The LORD, our God did not necessarily have these things come out over goodness...These sacrifices and offerings came about over man's sinful nature...Sacrifice and burnt offerings were over mankind's sinning...God has more regard for mercy and forgiveness than He does for sacrifices and burnt offerings...And that is what He wants us to be forgiving and merciful, like His Son is...