I wish I could say I’ve always lived out what Jesus said in Matthew 5:23. That call to go and be reconciled with someone who has something against you sounds simple when you read it. It feels very different when you have to do it.

If I’m honest, my reasons for not going were never that strong. It just isn’t easy. Reconciliation asks something from us that we don’t naturally want to give.

One reason it’s hard is because it takes humility. There are moments when we know we didn’t do anything wrong. We know we’ve been misunderstood. And that’s often where conflict begins. One person hears something one way, while the other meant something completely different. Still, Jesus doesn’t say to go only when you are clearly at fault. He says to go when someone has something against you. That means stepping in with patience, laying down pride, and choosing love even when you feel misjudged.

Another reason it’s hard is because it takes courage. Sometimes we know we were wrong. We know we hurt someone. And going to them means facing that truth. It also means risking how they will respond. There is no guarantee they will meet us with grace.

I remember a time when I went to someone I had hurt. I owned what I did. I asked for forgiveness. Instead of peace, I was met with harsh words. It stung. I had come with an open heart, and I walked away feeling rejected.

That’s the risk we take when we pursue reconciliation. But we are not doing it for approval. We are doing it in obedience. We answer to God, not to people.

The call to forgive and make things right is not optional. It is not based on how we feel in the moment. It is part of following Jesus.

So the question is simple.
Will you go if He is asking you to?

Additional Resources

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