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Being Reconciled with Thy Brother

Matthew 5:23-24

If therefore thou offer thy gift on the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother has anything against thee, leave there thy gift in front of the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come offer thy gift.

Doctrine of Life 73

The Lord teaches the good of love in many places in the Word. He teaches it in Matthew by what He says about reconciliation with the neighbor:

If thou art offering thy gift upon the altar, and there remember that thy brother has anything against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way. First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Be well-minded to thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him; lest the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Amen, I say to thee, thou shalt not come out from there till thou hast paid the last farthing (Matt. 5:23-26).

To be “reconciled to one’s brother” is to shun enmity, hatred, and revenge; that it is to shun them as sin is evident.

The Lord also teaches in Matthew: All things whatever you will that men should do to you, you do also to them; for this is the Law and the Prophets (7:12); thus, that we should not do evil. He teaches the same in many other places.

The Lord also teaches that to be angry with one’s brother or the neighbor rashly, and to hold him as an enemy, is also to commit murder (Matt. 5:21-22).

Diary of Spiritual Experiences Minor 4775

That in the other life, those who hated each other in the life of the body meet together. There were many evil spirits who lay concealed for a long time, enclosed in a peculiar hell, out of which they were, for a considerable time, unable to break out. On several occasions I wondered who they were. One evening they were let out, and then was heard their great noise beneath me, like a riot, which lasted the whole night. And when the ability was given them, I heard revilings against me and I observed their effort, [namely] that they wished to ascend and to destroy me. I asked the angels the reason. They said that they held me in hatred when they were alive; and yet, they were such as I had in no respect injured. I was informed also that, when they but perceive the sphere of him whom they have held in hatred, they rage, and breathe his destruction; but they were again sent to their hell.

That those who have held each other in mutual hatred meet together in the other life, and on both sides, attempt many evils against each other, was made known to me by many examples. For hatred corresponds to antipathy, and, as it were, becomes spiritual antipathy; for, as soon as they perceive the sphere of him [whom they hate], they come into fury. Hence it may be manifest what it involves, that the Lord says, concerning those who are enemies, that they ought to be reconciled: “If thou hast anything against thy brother, go,” etc.

Matthew 18

15 And if thy brother sin against thee, go thy way and reprove him between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16 And if he shall not hear, take with thee yet one or two, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every saying may be established.

17 And if he neglect to hear them, tell it to the church; but if he also neglect to hear the church, let him be to thee just as a gentile and a publican.

Apocalypse Explained 746:15

In Matthew 18:15-17, “brother” means the neighbor in general, thus every man. But in particular it means one who is in the good of charity and thence in faith from the Lord, whoever he may be. For these passages treat of the good of charity, since to forgive one who sins against you is of charity. Also it is said, “if he hear, thou hast gained thy brother,” which signifies, if he acknowledges his trespasses and is converted.

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