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“Reconcile Before Worship” touches one of the most neglected, yet central, conditions for acceptable worship: right relationships with our brothers and sisters.
Let us look at what the Word of God says:
> “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 (NIV)*
This is not a suggestion. It is a divine order:
First be reconciled.
Then offer your gift.
Many believers are frustrated because they sing, give, serve, and pray—yet sense a blockage in their spiritual life. Often, the obstacle is not in the area of praise or sacrifice, but in the area of relationships. God says plainly: “I will not bypass broken relationships to accept your worship.”
The lyrics of this song simply restate Jesus’ radical demand: reconciliation is not optional; it is a prerequisite for pure worship.
To reinforce this, the associated scriptures underline the same truth:
The message is clear: relational righteousness is part of true worship. You cannot be right with God while choosing to be wrong with your brother.
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We must see Matthew 5:23–24 in its proper setting. This statement comes from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). Jesus is not addressing pagans. He is addressing people who believe in God, who come to worship, who bring offerings.
### The Altar and the Worshiper
In Jesus’ time, the scene He describes was very real and concrete:
At that critical moment—right in the middle of a religious act—something happens in his conscience:
> “…and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you…”
Notice:
Jesus then gives a shocking instruction, especially to a devout Jew whose journey to the Temple may have been long and costly:
> “Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled…”
In the religious mindset, the altar and the gift are supreme. In the kingdom of God, the relationship comes first.
### The Legal Picture: Settling with Your Adversary
Just a few verses later, Jesus continues:
> “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court.
> Do it while you are still together on the way…”
> — *Matthew 5:25*
The picture is of two men on their way to court. One is the accuser, the other the accused. Jesus says: “Handle it before it reaches the judge.” In other words, do not let unresolved conflicts escalate into judgment.
He links relational negligence with legal consequences. In kingdom terms, to refuse reconciliation is to open the door to greater bondage, discipline, even demonic oppression (compare Ephesians 4:26–27: “do not give the devil a foothold”).
So we have two pictures:
In both, Jesus demands immediate, proactive reconciliation.
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Let us examine two key words that sharpen this teaching.
### 1. “Be Reconciled” — *diallassō* (διαλλάσσω) – Matthew 5:24
“First go and be reconciled to them…”
The Greek verb here is *diallassō*. Its root idea is:
This is not a superficial apology. It is a change in the relationship. It implies:
It is also in the passive: “be reconciled.” That suggests humility—submitting yourself to a process where both parties are changed. You do not merely say, “I did my part.” You aim for actual restoration as far as it depends on you.
The lyrics echo this:
“First go and make things right with that person
Only then come back with a heart that’s free”
The free heart is the fruit of true reconciliation. Many believers are bound in their worship because their conscience still remembers a relationship not honestly dealt with.
### 2. “Peacemakers” — *eirēnopoios* (εἰρηνοποιός) – Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
The word *eirēnopoios* comes from:
A peacemaker is not a passive person who avoids conflict. He is one who actively produces peace. He works, acts, moves, rebuilds, confronts if necessary, in order to establish harmony.
This deepens the lyrics:
“Blessed are the peacemakers
For they will be called children of God
If it’s possible, as far as it depends on you
Live at peace with everyone”
Peacemaking is evidence of sonship. Those who initiate reconciliation show the family resemblance of their Father in heaven, who Himself reconciled us “while we were enemies” (Romans 5:10).
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Now we will walk through the central themes in the lyrics and connect them with the wider testimony of Scripture.
### A. “If you’re about to place your offering on the altar…”
This describes someone engaged in worship. Today, that might be:
God is not indifferent to these. Yet He says: *Worship is not valid if the heart is wrong toward others.*
Isaiah 1:11–15 reveals the same principle. God rebukes Israel:
But God says, “I cannot endure your assemblies… Even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening.” Why? Because of violence, injustice, and wrong relationships.
So the lyrics are in full agreement:
“Don’t go on with your worship just yet
Leave your gift there, walk away for a moment
First go and make things right with that person
Only then come back with a heart that’s free”
Notice God’s kindness: He does not say, “Don’t ever bring your gift.” He says, “Pause. Deal with the relationship first. Then come back.” God desires true worship, not canceled worship.
### B. “There remember that your brother or sister has something against you…”
The Holy Spirit often uses remembrance as a way to convict us. In the very act of worship, a face, a name, or a situation may come to your mind. That is not a distraction. It is often the Spirit saying, “You must go and be reconciled.”
Jesus’ wording is precise:
In other words, if you have:
Then you have a responsibility to go and address it.
This aligns with Romans 12:18:
> “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
You cannot control another person’s response. But you can control whether you:
The lyrics capture this proactive responsibility:
“Don’t wait for them to come to you
Go quickly, make things right”
That is the spirit of Matthew 5:24.
### C. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary…”
The second section of the lyrics reflects Matthew 5:25:
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary
While you’re still on the way with them
Before it goes to court and the judge hands you over…”
This introduces an urgent dimension: time.
Unresolved offenses are like unattended wounds. They do not remain static; they fester. Ephesians 4:26–27 adds another vital warning:
> “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Anger held overnight can become a foothold—a place in your inner life where Satan has legal grounds to operate. That is why the lyrics say:
“Don’t let broken relationships linger and grow
Make peace fast, while there’s still time to heal
Forgiveness opens the door to true worship”
Many believers are under spiritual pressure not primarily because of demons, but because of delayed obedience in relationships. Spiritual warfare is often lost in the realm of pride and unforgiveness long before it reaches the realm of prayer.
### D. “Blessed are the peacemakers… children of God”
Here the song ties in Matthew 5:9 and Romans 12:18 directly.
> “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
To be a child of God is to resemble your Father. God is Himself a peacemaker.
Therefore, when we take initiative in reconciliation, especially when we are the offended party, we are behaving like God Himself.
The lyrics reflect this calling:
“If it’s possible, as far as it depends on you
Live at peace with everyone
Don’t let the sun go down while you’re still angry
Speak the truth in love, restore what’s been broken”
Notice the balance:
You cannot force reconciliation, but you can refuse bitterness, slander, and retaliation. You can choose forgiveness.
### E. “God wants our hearts more than our offerings”
This line goes to the essence of the matter.
“God wants our hearts more than our offerings
Give up pride, take a step toward peace
He sees the hurt we carry and the walls we build
But in humility, His mercy is revealed
Take the first step, even if it’s hard
True worship flows from a reconciled heart”
This is the theology of the prophets:
Reconciliation requires:
Pride is one of the greatest hindrances to worship. Pride says:
“I was right.”
“They must come to me.”
“I will not lower myself.”
But Philippians 2:5–8 tells us that the mind of Christ is the opposite:
When we move in that spirit, “His mercy is revealed.” Not only to us, but through us.
### F. “Clear the way for your prayer to rise…”
The final stanza brings in a vital New Testament principle: relationships affect prayer.
“Don’t wait for them to come to you
Go quickly, make things right
Clear the way for your prayer to rise
A heart at peace brings joy to God’s eyes
Reconciliation first—then worship pure”
1 Peter 3:7 gives a specific example:
> “Husbands… be considerate… and treat [your wives] with respect… so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
In other words, God may refuse to listen to your prayers if you mistreat your spouse. The same principle applies more generally: bitterness, offense, and unresolved conflict hinder fellowship with God.
Jesus said in Mark 11:25:
> “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
So:
The lyrics express this with the phrase:
“Clear the way for your prayer to rise.”
When you remove the blockage of offense and pride, you clear the spiritual air. Worship and prayer then flow in a clean channel.
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It is not enough to admire this teaching. We must obey it. Here are four clear steps—each can be turned into a proclamation.
### Step 1: Ask the Holy Spirit to Reveal Broken Relationships
First, we must allow God to search us.
Pray honestly:
Do not rely on your own memory alone. The Spirit will often highlight:
When He brings someone to mind, do not brush it aside. It is at the “altar” that He reminds you.
Proclamation:
“Lord, I choose the light. I invite Your Holy Spirit to search my heart and reveal any relationship that is not right in Your sight.”
### Step 2: Take Immediate, Concrete Action
Second, we must act—quickly and practically.
Your message should not be:
Instead, it should be:
Proclamation:
“I choose to obey Jesus. I will not delay. As far as it depends on me, I will pursue peace and take the first step toward reconciliation.”
### Step 3: Release Forgiveness and Renounce Bitterness
Third, we must deal with our attitude toward those who hurt us.
Forgiveness is not:
Forgiveness is:
You may say aloud:
Then, renounce bitterness:
Ephesians 4:31–32 commands:
> “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Proclamation:
“By an act of my will, in obedience to God’s Word, I forgive those who have wronged me. I renounce bitterness and choose to walk in love and mercy.”
### Step 4: Return to Worship with a Clean Heart
After you have:
Then you may return to worship with confidence.
“Then come and offer your gift.”
Now your:
are not hindered by a guilty conscience or ongoing disobedience.
Hebrews 10:22 says:
> “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience…”
Proclamation:
“Having done my part to reconcile, I now draw near to God with a sincere heart. I offer my worship from a conscience cleansed by the blood of Jesus and a heart at peace with others.”
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### Proclamation
Say this aloud, thoughtfully and deliberately:
> “Father, in the name of Jesus, I affirm that You desire mercy, not sacrifice, and that reconciliation comes before worship.
> Your Word says: ‘If I am offering my gift at the altar, and there remember that my brother or sister has something against me, I must first go and be reconciled to them, then come and offer my gift.’
> I declare that I choose obedience over religious performance.
> As far as it depends on me, I will live at peace with all.
> I refuse to let anger remain in my heart or to give the devil a foothold.
> I choose to be a peacemaker, that I may be known as a child of God.
> I forgive those who have wronged me, and I seek forgiveness from those I have wronged.
> I lay down my pride and take the first step toward peace.
> By the blood of Jesus, my conscience is cleansed.
> I clear the way for my prayers to rise and my worship to be pure.
> True worship flows from a reconciled heart, and that is the heart I choose today, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
### Prayer
“Lord Jesus, You are the great Reconciler. You made peace through the blood of Your cross when I was still Your enemy. I ask now that You bring my life into alignment with Your Word.
Holy Spirit, shine Your light into every corner of my heart. Reveal every broken relationship, every hidden offense, every unconfessed wrong. Give me the courage to obey quickly, to humble myself, to go and be reconciled.
I ask You to break the power of pride, fear, and stubbornness in me. Set me free from bitterness, resentment, and accusation. Teach me to speak the truth in love and to pursue peace as far as it depends on me.
I place my worship, my service, and my offerings before You, and I say: Your order, not mine—reconciliation first, then worship. Let my life become an offering that pleases You: a clean heart, a right spirit, and relationships healed by Your grace.
I commit myself to walk as a peacemaker and to bear the family likeness of my Father in heaven. Let my heart be at peace, that my worship may bring joy to Your eyes. I ask this in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.”
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