Speed is Important in Reconciliation (Matthew 5:25-26)

These verses follow immediately after Jesus tells us that we can't authentically worship God if we don't first make things right with others.  Tough standards!  But it is such an offense to God for his followers to have committed offenses against others that Jesus emphasizes that we must quickly attempt to reconcile... otherwise...


Matthew 5:25-26    25 "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he 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 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. 

Luke 12:57-59  57 "Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?  58 As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.  59 I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny." 


Reach out to those who have hurt you and to those you have hurt!  It is the way of Jesus' followers.

Note:  I need to add a note for those who have suffered abuse.  Forgiveness is still very important, but that does not mean you need to ever put yourself into harm's way again.  Sit down with a trusted pastor or counselor and talk about how you can forgive someone who it would be unsafe to approach.  God would not want you to put yourselves in harm's way.