F. B. Meyer comments on Matthew 5:23-26 (First reconcile with your brother, then come and offer your gift to the Lord), pointing out how we might protest to God:
“He has not treated me as I had every right to expect. He has been ungrateful, ungracious, intolerant. He has not considered my interests. He has taken advantage of my goodwill. I never can get along with him; his temperament and mine are so different. Why did you give him to me as my brother? Had it been anyone else, I could have agreed. Outwardly I have tried to do my best. Can you wonder that I hide a grudge in my heart, and that almost involuntarily it betrays its presence?”
. . . “He has wronged me, gracious Master. Is nothing to be said to him?”
“Not in the first place,” is the reply. “It is necessary that you should retract for your part, whatever it may be. Ask his forgiveness for that ruffled feeling, that unkind and harsh bearing, that icy reserve. Pay him any due that he may rightfully claim. Ask his forgiveness as you would ask God’s, and your approach will bring a flood of repentant and protesting words, which will show that you have won your brother. But if these do not follow, and he receives your apology as his right, or without remark, still you have done your part, and there is nothing to be said against you further. I will deal with him—then come and offer your gift.”