The act of balancing the books. We reconcile all of the items in an account verifying that we show the same amount available as the financial institution. Verifying each debit and credit and adding and subtracting to make sure the bank is on the up and up and that no fraudulent activity catches us unawares.
In our lives we have emotional and spiritual accounts that are a part of our being. As an acquaintance grows to be more of a friend the emotional ledger is increased for this person. Time spent together deposits good will between the two persons. When issues arise that create conflict the ledger has a deduction in it for the offense. Reconciling this difference allows the ledger to be validated and increases can again occur, however, to leave it unreconciled a bitterness may ensue that can stop the friendships growth and eventually turn into a friendship lost.
In our walk with God. Our account spiritually was reconciled at the time we accepted Christ as the Lord and Savior of our lives. However, we can sin and offend this relationship and if not reconciled we may create a gulf between us and God and walk away from our friendship with Him. He loves us with an everlasting love and wants us to restore our relationship with Him…but we have the responsibility to look at our spiritual ledger and ask that our debits be cleared and new bank statement be created showing just the settled balance of our forgiven state. It is awesome that when we repent our spiritual account with God will only show credits to the account (blessings) as all the debits (sins) are forgiven and forgotten.
As I mentioned earlier we must reconcile our relationships with others. We are told in the Lord’s Prayer that we can ask God to forgive us our debts (debits) as we forgive our debtors (those who have wronged us). The word “as” in this phrase implies that we must act and forgive others to be forgiven by God. The Bible also teaches that if we come to the altar and remember we have an issue with another, we must first reconcile the issue with the person and then we can come to the altar.
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” Matthew 5:23-24 NLT
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.” Matthew 18:15 NLT
Now I know, we no longer do sacrifices, but the point is, we still come before God’s throne in prayer and petition and that means we must have a clear slate with our brothers and sisters for God to pay heed to our requests. For if we do not do this, we are not obeying His command to us.
Lord, may we be quick to reconcile our relationships with others so that we might be able to remain reconciled with you. In Jesus name, amen.
Be blessed.
ATFH
Thoughts 