Matthew 5:23-24

"Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought 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."
Matthew 5:23-24


God tells us that the first great commandments are to love him, and then to love everyone else.  if we would do those things, then everything else would fall into place... here, God says... if you are trying to offer me something... your heart, your will... sacrifice something that comes between you and I... then, good... please do.  but remember that the spirit is affected by everything in your life, and if there is a problem or resentment that is holding you back... it isn't just holding you back from that person, but it is holding you back from me as well.  Resolve it... and then come and offer your sacrifice, your gift of love to me... and I will accept it, and know that you are serious, because you removed even the impediments that were difficult for you to deal with.
This last week I spent 3 days at this sales training seminar.  even though I am not in sales, it was marginally interesting in spots. :)  one of the things I thought was funny is that they brought up all these psychology and educational theory things in teaching us how to get along with people. :)  there are so many different kinds of personality tests, but the one that they used said that there are 4 different types of people, motivated by different things.  On type is motivated by recognition, one type motivated by the need to control things, one type by the need to be right, and one type by the need to avoid conflict. :)
My point is (quick, Suzanne, think of a point!) that God deals with us all individually, knowing our motivations and our needs, even if they are a little more complex than my sales training class claims. :)  He knows what is holding us back from him... what is holding us back from other people.  He knows that it takes a HUGE effort to do what he asks sometimes... dealing with people where there are clear problems between you isn't easy... but he says, it will make things better... not only better in your relationship with that person, but in your relationship with me.  so... whatever type of person we are, and however hard it is for us to do this... God still asks it.  we have to remove what is causing the wounds... and if we do... if we can remove the resentments and the poisons in our relationships, and then come unto him... he says I will heal you... all of you... of everything, and it will be okay.