TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Matthew 5:25
Read: Matthew 5:25-26
Listen: Matthew 5
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus reveals the urgency of getting things right with others. His teaching shows wisdom not only in spiritual matters but for practical life. Letting a situation simmer may elevate it to a level that lands someone in jail. It is much better to resolve it quickly and avoid further heartache.
We can allow situations to escalate into much bigger problems. Deciding on food for a family gathering turns into a feud. Feeling unheard and undervalued at work becomes an anger explosion. Misinterpreting someone’s tone in a text brings weeks of hurt feelings and resentment. Jesus urges us to resolve these more minor situations before their seeds grow into something much harder to resolve. The Apostle Paul encourages us not to repay “evil for evil” or take revenge into our hands. Instead, we are to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).
The longer we wait to make things right, the harder it gets. What may have started as a small matter can grow into something deadly that wrecks our relationships, health or careers. We must do our part to follow Jesus and trust God with the results.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Pray and ask God for his help in doing the hard work of restoration. Then take one action to reach out to a relationship in need of repair, whether it’s crossing a room, sending a text, mailing a card or offering an apology.
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is Acts 26.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
