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

- Matthew 5:23-24

All throughout Scripture, God rejects worship. It’s actually kind of shocking. People think they’re offering God great sacrifices. They’re pleased with their religious performance. But God is not satisfied.

Whenever God rejects worship, it’s almost always because of something we’re doing or not doing to each other. The way we treat each other serves as a clear indication of what’s happening in our hearts.

When our relationships don’t line up with God’s character, God has to get our attention. It’s as if he’s saying “You don’t know me or what I’m about. If you did, you would care for each other.”

If our hearts are not bent on reconciliation, we don’t know the God of right relationships who’s reconciling all things to himself. Whenever possible, as often as possible, as much as it’s in our power, people who are in tune with God will work toward reconciliation.

Jesus is inviting us to pursue reconciliation as an integral practice in a life devoted to him.

Is there anyone with whom you need to make a step toward reconciliation today?