Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
-Matthew 5:23-24, NKJV
These two verse uttered by Jesus are why I doubt God finds cheaters acceptable without those cheaters dealing with their sin in repentance.
Jesus does not tell his listeners to not worry about their sin. He does not teach them to view it as only a matter between them and God.
NO!
Jesus insists members of God’s family deal with the relationship they broke before participating in religious ritual. He makes it clear that the wrongdoer has to do more than simply ask God for forgiveness.
Leaving a sacrifice at the altar does not suffice in Jesus’ book.
So, I highly doubt God treats any cheater as forgiven who is unwilling to acknowledge his or her wrongdoing to their victim. That just does not seem to be a possibility as I read these two verses.
Now, I understand that circumstances do not always allow for us to make up with the brother or sister we have wronged. I think God knows that and is merciful in such circumstances.
However, when you are able to confess sin to the offended party and repent yet refuse to do so, that is a very different matter altogether.
Jesus clearly is telling us that God is not fooled by religious behavior of such an individual. It is not good enough.
They are called to make the effort to make the relationship right that they harmed by their wrongdoing. That is Jesus’ expectation. It should be ours as well.
*A version of this post ran previously.
