I Am Sorry

I'm Sorry                                                      07-07-17

Matthew 5:23-24 (NASB) ²³  "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
²⁴  leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

My wife had a conversation with a mental health professional this week past concerning an issue of interest to both of them.While they were talking,the therapist explained that many of her clients have a need to hear three words. Surprisingly,it was not the three words that I would have thought. The three words being,"I am sorry." When I heard that,the above Scripture came to mind.

Have you ever noticed the effect those words have on us? They have a healing salve don't they? You know how it goes don't you? Someone will do something wrong or mistreat you in some way.You stew on it. You are taken aback. It makes you mad. It ANGERS you.Then the offending party happens by your way,pulls you aside and apologizes. It has an EFFECT doesn't it? All of a sudden it's not as offensive anymore is it? It's a little easier to deal with.Not only inside of us but also with the way we feel towards the offending party. It changes things. That is what that word reconciled in the passage means.

Greek Strong's Number: 1259

Greek Word: διαλλάσσω

Transliteration: diallassō

Phonetic Pronunciation:dee-al-las'-so

Root: from <G1223> and <G236>

Cross Reference: TDNT - 1:253,40

Part of Speech: v

Vine's Words: Reconcile, Reconciliation

Usage Notes:

English Words used in KJV:

reconcile 1
[Total Count: 1]

from <G1223> (dia) and <G236> (allasso); to change thoroughly, i.e. (mental) to conciliate :- reconcile.

Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

To change thoroughly. To conciliate.

 A simple "I am sorry," A soft answer. It changes us.

Proverbs 15:1 (ESV) ¹  A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

You see,in that Matthew passage Jesus is speaking to us about reconciling with our brothers and sisters when we are the OFFENDING  party. He considers it so important that He tells us to make it right with our brother before making it right with Him.

1 John 4:20-21 (ESV) ²⁰  If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
²¹  And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.


An apology. To humble ourselves and admit a wrong with a simple I am sorry not only changes the offended but it changes the OFFENDER! No matter what side of the equation we happen to be on,it has a healing effect on us. It changes things and more importantly it changes us.

Psalm 50:5 (ESV) ⁵  “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”



God Bless