Matthew 5:23-24

III. DUTY BEFORE WORSHIP.

23, 24. Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar.

This springs immediately out of the modification of the law, Thou shalt not kill, which required that there should be no anger or estrangement with. brother. Before the old dispensation was replaced by the new the highest act of worship was to bring. gift to the altar. Yet even this most sacred act must give way to reconciliation. If about to offer it, and the remembrance comes that. brother, one near to thee,. kinsman,. spiritual brother,. neighbor, hath aught against thee, leave the gift unoffered, go and make it right with him, and then offer thy gift. This shows that one guilty of wrongs to his fellowman cannot offer acceptable worship to God. The wrongs must be rectified before God will receive our worship.. part of our duty to God is duty to our fellowman. This places on the highest possible ground. duty that is often wholly neglected. Under Christ's kingdom it means that one who has mistreated another, wronged him in business, insulted him, used harsh or angry words to him, cannot worship acceptably in the house of God, or at the altar of prayer until he has sought to atone for the wrong. Reconciliation and restitution must precede the divine favor. He who sins against his fellowman is. sinner before God.