Each of us knows the situation of disappointment about a fellow Christian. There are people with whom we were not only connected through and in Christ, but with whom we also felt connected as friends. And then we experienced the day of disappointment. One untruth, one insult, one slander, or one scam (emotionally or financially) and the relationship is history. But we often meet these people again and again. Partly because they attend the same church as we do and partly because they are in the same Christian scene. And even if one has already forgiven the other for his transgression, one always feels that a certain distance has arisen through the experienced situation.
I myself experienced such a situation while visiting a church today. During worship, a former good friend comes up to greet me, and I just reach out and take a half step back. She, on the other hand, takes a step forward and greets me with a hug. And a little later she comes up to me with the grape juice and the bread to break bread with me. What a lovely gesture. Then the last bit of anger and hurt disappeared from me. And I realize that at the end of our days we will all stand before God's throne to worship Him. as one body. United by our faith in Jesus Christ. We can't let the bitterness and disappointment we've experienced tear us apart forever.
Christ says Mt 5: If it occurs to you that your brother has something against you, then leave your gift at the altar and go first and be reconciled with your brother.
This belief culture regarding the Lord's Supper and worship has largely disappeared in Christian culture today. We take communion in remembrance of Jesus Christ and that is a good thing. But I think reconciliation with your brother or sister is another important aspect that we can't just ignore.
We are all members of the body of Jesus Christ and if we can live as such in harmony and forgiveness with one another we have taken a big step. I would like to encourage each of you to take this step of reconciliation and to reach out to the other.
For none of us is without faults and we must remember that we are all saved former sinners. And the Holy Spirit, who lives in each of us, will help us in this step of reconciliation if we ask him to do so.
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