Settle The Matter

“‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;’” – Isaiah 1:18-19

 

Nelson Mandela took a stand against apartheid in South Africa and was a political prisoner for 27 years. 

Soon after his release, Nelson was asked, “When you were released from Robben Island prison in 1990, you greeted the crowd with the raised fist of the African National Congress.  But a moment later, you bowed your head before you spoke. What were you thinking?”

Nelson replied, “When I first saw the crowds waiting for me, I raised my right arm with the clenched fist of the ANC because I was reminded of all the struggle we had been through.

But then I realized that things could not be like that. I remembered the Bible study group I had joined at the prison, and I heard the voice of Jesus telling me to speak for peace.”

Nelson could have called the black South Africans to rise up against their white oppressors, but instead, he called them to peace and said that he had fought against both white and black domination.

 

Jesus came to reconcile us to God and to others. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He is our reconciliation.  

 

“God did not wait for a change of heart on our part. He made the first move. Indeed, He did more than that. He did all was necessary to secure our reconciliation, including our change of heart. Even though He is the One offended by our sin, He is the One who makes amends to Himself through the death of Christ.” – Jerry Bridges

 

God’s Word: “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