Luke 6:37,41,42 ""Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

How serious is this issue with G-d? So serious that He won’t even accept your sacrificial gifts until you seek reconciliation with those who have a problem with YOU! Not just those who YOU are upset with, but you need to try to make things right with those who have something against you

The point: Get clean and be holy so G-d can use you. 

Matthew 5:23,24 "So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple , offering a sacrifice to G-d, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar . Go and be reconciled to that person . Then come and offer your sacrifice to G-d .

Remember the audience is first century believers, so get the point .

Here is what Rabbi Sha’ul (Paul) who wrote almost the entire New Covenant, tells us about repentance:

Ephesians 4:21-32 Since you have heard all about Him and have learned the truth that is in Yeshua, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception.  Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in G-d's likeness – righteous, holy, and true. So put away all falsehood and "tell your neighbor the truth" because we belong to each other. And "don't sin by letting anger gain control over you."  Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the devil.  If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need. Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to G-d's Ruach haKodesh by the way you live. Remember, He is the one who has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you will be atoned on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as G-d through Messiah has forgiven you.

As you can see, G-d’s Word makes it clear that true repentance is not only about being sorry, it is a complete turning over of all aspects of your life to living correctly according to His standards .

2 Chronicles 7:14 Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land .

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while you can find Him . Call on Him now while He is near . Let the people turn from their wicked deeds . Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the LORD that He may have mercy on them . Yes, turn to our G-d, for He will abundantly pardon .  "My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD . "And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine . For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.  

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