Q10. Guilty Defendant

[Pastor Ralph]

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?

[Christopher Olamiji Taiwo]

On 4/22/2023 at 1:08 AM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?

Jesus Christ tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant so that we can be wise in dealing with issues that lead to disaster or disgrace for both ourselves and family. 

The people we wrong or offended get into our way of worship blocking our relationship with God if we fail to reconcile with them. 

It's hypocritical if we failed to address the matter to the best of our ability that could bring disgrace or dishonour to the family and ourselves. 

[Katy]

Q10. Jesus told the parable of the guilty defendant to show to us the vital importance of dealing with sinful issues in our lives and not to delay putting things right with God and other people we may have hurt or done damage to in some way. We don’t know the day or the time when God will call us ! If we put off dealing with sin and reparation we may miss our opportunity and then will have to face the wrath of God. 
If we have people in our lives that we have wronged and we have made no effort to make amends in whatever way we can then there is a barrier between us and God. We will find we cannot worship God as we should because our conscience is not clear and things will stay that way until we have done what we know we must do,even if it is frightening or we are afraid how someone we have hurt will react when we contact then. Whatever happens the wrath of God will be worse if we refuse to do it. 
It would be hypocritical to be attending Church and meetings if we are in sin and have outstanding issues in our lives that need our attention. We are pretending to be something and someone we are clearly not! 

[Robomom3]

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26)

Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant?

Before salvation, we were living as enemies of God so in this parable, I believe God, or Jesus is the adversary.  We need to understand this because there is a judgment day coming and, if we haven't been made right with God through the Blood of His Son, we will be found guilty as we stand before Him.  There is no other plea we can give on that faithful day except for the Blood of Jesus.

How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly?

We must cleanse our hearts of sin continually.  Sin does not take us from the Hand of God, but unrepentant sin is like a barrier keeping our spirit from connecting with His.  It would be like throwing mud on a window of your house.  Your house is still sitting safely on your land, but you are unable to see and enjoy the land.  You must first cleanse the window, and then you can once again see your land clearly and enjoy its beauty.  The same applies to our heart... it is only when we make right the wrongs we commit daily that our heart can remain pure.  It is then we are able to see God's Glory clearly and it's only then we can enjoy His beauty.

In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?

Not addressing our trespasses while worshipping God is the same as living "outwardly morally clean" while being morally filthy within.  

[GeraldG]

Jesus tells us this parable to try to get us to understand just how important it is to get things right now, as soon as we possibly can. For if we don't repent and make things right, we will pay the consequences. Could be jail time if we don't make amends with people we may have wronged here. Or could be eternity if we don't repent and make things right with God. 

We can't truly be free to worship God if there are things not right in our lives, for those things can hinder our minds and our hearts to where our worship is not going anywhere. 

If we don't address these issues and get them taken care of, or settled, or at least get an agreement on how to take care of these things, it could end up really bad for us, possibly jail or prison time. Which we could have prevented just by addressing the issues. Waiting till its too late 

[hanks]

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26)

Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?

Jesus was using a law court as an illustration of the urgency of getting things right with God before it is too late. Here on earth, it makes sense to try and be reconciled as soon as possible with an opponent that you have wronged. That is before he takes you to court and you find yourself being thrown into prison. How much more important is it for us as sinners to be reconciled with our Lord. Here we are given every opportunity to be saved, and this must be done rather sooner than later. If not, we would find ourselves standing before God as our Judge. If we are found guilty and condemned for our unbelief, we stand the risk of being thrown into eternal punishment, with no hope of ever getting out. The urgent message is for us to get right with God by repenting of our sins and by committing ourselves to Jesus Christ in full surrender. By being at enmity with others we are not walking in the light, we are not having fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7), and cannot claim to be without sin (1 John 1:8). It is this sin that prevents us from worshipping God properly, since it interferes with our fellowship with God. Jesus teaches us that we should make an extra effort to restore our relationship with the person we have wronged. We have to remove whatever is the cause of the enmity. When we have offended others, or when someone has offended us, we should work tirelessly for a peaceful resolution of the matter (Rom 12:18). We have to replace our sinfulness with the righteousness of Jesus. We should love peace, make peace, and be at peace. It would be hypocritical if we don’t first reconcile with another before we serve the Lord in any way. The problem causing the separation, enmity must first be removed. This problem applies of course to home and family as well.

[RD35]

Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?

Jesus told the Parable of the Guilty Defendant, so people understand the need to get things right before judgment comes, before it is too late.

Reconciliation and Forgiveness is a command from God and we cannot worship God when we have disobeyed him, we would just be hypocrites.  Our gratitude for what God gives us is revealed in how merciful we are toward those who owe us. Our horizontal relationship with one another reveals the nature of our vertical one with God.

[Debra Grant]

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?

1. We need to get things right before the judge before it is too late because we can go to jail and have consequences that we don't want. Jesus explains that we are to treat people right and apologize when necessary. We are to keep our promise to others.

2. Reconciliation will not be possible and God cannot be reached. Our worship can not be true to God. We are to forgive and when necessary ask for forgiveness.

3. It is trying to make people believe we are something more in God than we are. We are being foolish because we know we should get it right. We are disobeying God when we do not get it right regardless of what the situation is. Jesus forgives us so that we can be reconciled to God.

[Elizabeth Kuruvilla]

Love is the fulfillment of the law.

As Paul says , if we prophesy and cast out demons and heal the sick but have no love , it is all pointless. Because it is hypocrisy. 

God is Love, in Christ he has Begotten us, to be sons like Him, full of Love and Hesed.

In this passage, Jesus emphasizes the importance of reconciling with others and making amends before coming to worship God. He suggests that unresolved conflicts and grievances with others can hinder our relationship with God.

 

Failure to address these matters to the best of our ability can be seen as hypocritical because it reflects a disconnect between our outward acts of worship and our inner disposition. It's a form of hypocrisy because we may appear pious in our religious practices while neglecting the fundamental principles of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation that Jesus taught.

 

 

[t-c]

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?

It reminds me of Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” As we are reconciled with those around us, we are reconciled with God. And His perfect peace can be our peace.

If we are not rightly related to those around us, it directly affects our relationship with God, it steals our peace. And we know that God has called us to clean up these issues, so when we don’t we are walking out of His will for our lives.

Well the outside of the cup maybe bright and shiny but the inside needs to be cleaned. God’s will for our lives ultimately always is for our benefit and produces abundance and intimacy with Him.

 

[Menberu Adane]

It is about seeing ourselves always and making sure that we are in the right relationship with men and God. Right with those who are close by to us to be right with God.

Unless we are right with people, love those whom we see, we cannot utterly say that we love God and are right with Him. If we have guilty mind, personality or duty, we are always ashamed.of ourselves and cannot stand before people and before God.

Thus, it is double downing our guilt, becoming pretentious and hypocrit if we cannot straighten our bends and then pave the way for clear mind that enables us seek God's forgiveness.

[Zanele Tlhakanelo]

Jesus teaches us in the Parable of the Guilty Defendant to be upfront with issues. When I know that I have wronged a person, it is important for me to address the matter first because I am the guilty one rather than wait until the matter becomes too huge and can only be resolved at the court. It is always advisable to ask for forgiveness and make things right so that the person wronged is able to forgive and let bygones be bygones just like the king who forgave the servant who owned him lots of money. But we know how it turned at the end.

The Word of God says we must worship Him in truth and in spirit. How do you worship God if you have not asked for forgiveness and repented from your sins. I always like David because he understood that it is always peaceful to repent before God and he says "Create in me a clean heart." You cannot worship God while your heart has baggages of people you have hurt and just think that all is well. God sees our hearts and we need to be clean in the inside when coming to worship Him.

It is hypocritical if we think that these matters will vanish into thin air. We need to make things right that is why the Word of God says if we want to offer our gifts to God but have wronged our brothers, we need to first reconcile with the brother and come bring our offering. God is interested in our wellbeing and it is important to always ask for forgiveness and at times even if you are not wrong so that peace can prevail.

[Lisa Wolf]

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?

Jesus told this parable to keep his disciples free from the thought that it might be ok to live in sin after initial repentance, perhaps accepting Jesus as Savior but not accepting Jesus as Lord.  He also taught us to pray, "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us."(Matt. 6:12)  If we are responsible for the sin, we need to repent and live for Him in all areas.  We cannot give the devil even a toe-hold in our lives. The Word of God is clear: "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all."(1John 1:5)  Therefore, IF we permit darkness of any sort into our lives our prayers are hindered and we cannot truly be in His Presence.

[Irmela]

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26)

Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant?

How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly?

In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?

Jesus showed the importance of not having something that comes between you and someone else.  Be it owing someone money or goods or an apology. The judgement rendered to the guilty party is not always foreseeable. Of course if it is something where you have sinned against your fellowman, and you know you can rectify it by an apology or return of something, then you should do this and have the relationship sorted out.  

I am reminded of the little chorus we used to sing:   Owe no man anything, accept to love one another .   .   .    .

The deed keeps on popping up in our minds, alternately the person keeps on coming between the worshipper andthe Lord,  if we still have a conscience.  Otherwise it gets covered up and the perpetrator gets hardened.  A real relationship with the Lord is then not possible.  This of course makes worshipping God, a thing of impossibility.  The wall of pretense will eventually crumble.

It is hypocritical not to address the matter, because we cannot expect to come to God if we have something against our fellowman.  

[Violette]

On 4/22/2023 at 2:08 AM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?

He told us this parable so that issues could be sorted out between people and an agreement made between them instead of going to see a judge where they will be seen as guilty.

If we have wronged someone we need to make it right with them, otherwise our worship to God will be jeopardised and we will be further away from God.

If we are not obedient to God's ways and we are a hypocrite and not following Jesus way to address the situation others may see our witness, which isn't a good one and also not to God.

[Niyonka16]

Q10. Guilty Defendant (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant?
ANSWER: In Matthew 5:23-26 Jesus is describing personal reconciliation between disciples.

Forgiveness is for the forgiver. When we harbor ill will for another it does nothing but poison us. Forgiveness on the other hand, breathes life into our souls. Sin always destroys while obedience brings life in abundance.

How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly?

ANSWER: God does not accept meaningless worship. Worshiping God with the words that come out of my mouth but not with my actions and my time is empty and meaningless worship.

In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?

ANSWER: At the root of hypocrisy is fear and low self-esteem. We use hypocrisy to avoid looking at our shortcomings and figure out our part in it. It typically stems from a sincere belief that we should not be held to the same standards as others because we have better intention

[Janzie]

On 4/21/2023 at 9:08 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?

We are to take an inventory of ourselves to see if we have unforgiveness in our heart to someone and we need to make amends

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”Mark 11:25

We can't stay angry with someone and not forgive them,  and expect to be a good witness for Christ.  The world is watching us.
 

[haar]

A10

Jesus teaches in this parable for us to apply wisdom by reconciling with whoever we have offended to avoid being taken to court and be punished for our wrongs.

 

Unsettled wrongs are barriers to our worship hence the need to confess and reconcile before we go before the lord in worship.

[Zibuyile]

Q.10 Jesus told this parable so that we understand that whereever we mad e wrong we need to find amends sooner to avoid consequences  and in this scenario was going to jail for not paying what being owed

We are unable to worship God fully because deep down in our hearts we know of our wrongs and guilty feelings always stand in the way

We want to look good on the outside as if we are good , yet on the inside guilt condemn  us 

[Karen11]

On 4/21/2023 at 9:08 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?

So we would go and make amends, before it is to late.

It weighs us down, it keeps us from connecting fully with God, he wants us free, "When you are set free you are free indeed."

God wants us to, so we must.

[blezed]

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?

 

Jesus told The Parable of the Guilty Defendant to illustrate that if you have wrong someone you should make amends and repent before it is too late.  The guilt that we have wronged someone will linger and hinder our worshiping God. It is hypocritical if we do not try to reconcile with those we wrong and try to worship God as if nothing is wrong.  

 

 

[George L]

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? So that we begin to understand the repeated need for being open with God about our sins as the Holy Spirt brings rememberance of debts covered by Christs blood that we have not yet acknowleged. Our grace blessing came at great price. What we have attained is only by God interceeding in ourvlife for our good. Once dealt with the rnemy can nolonger rail us eith it. We know for sure itvis ‘under the blood.’. For we ourself placed it there.

 

How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? Because we have debt unpaid and unforgiven. For we have not saught to heal the wound in our character. The’I have failed you in this…’ conversation brings healing. A new beginning.

 

In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?  For we are still dirty and soiled in our heart.  Burdened with something we can not avoid before the Lord. He is pleased with obedience. For that is our truth.

[Old Jerry]

Jesus told the Parable of the Guilty Defendant because He wants us to repent right now and not later. The way that people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of worship because we will be thinking about our wrong doing while the preacher is trying to tell us truth about Jesus. We are to be friendly at all times when it is dependent on us so it would be hypocritical not to resolve our problems to the best of our ability.

[Dove81]

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant?
If we’ve hurt someone to go to them and ask for forgiveness and to forgive those who have hurt us. It’s the same forgiveness that we ask God to extend to us.
 

How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly?
If you wronged someone and haven’t gone to them to ask for their forgiveness it will jeopardize your relationship with God. God calls us to repent when we come to Him, we have to right the wrongs you’ve done to people. The Bible says “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”

 

In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability?
To think that the issue will just disappear if you ignore it. It’s better to admit you made a mistake and ask for the persons forgiveness than to just act like you’ve done nothing wrong.