Job 11:15-16 Then surely you could lift up your face without spot; Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear; Because you would forget your misery, And remember it as waters that have passed away,
From the past devotionals, we’ve seen that forgiving others is all on us. There’s no requirement for anyone to desire, ask, or accept our forgiveness. We are to simply forgive, and we should also have seen and understood the reasons why we are to simply forgive. Forgiveness for the sake of love is the center of our salvation in Christ. It’s pure and real, and it was taught and exemplified perfectly by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It wasn’t easy for Him, and it is not easy for us.
It requires death to self.
The same is true of making amends. It isn’t easy. It’s even humiliating sometimes. But remember that when we offend others, we offend God. A sin against another person is a sin against God. We are required to go before God in repentance and ask God for forgiveness. Spiritual wisdom tells us we are required to do the same with those people we sin against. This also requires death to self.
The Bible says, as best we can, we are to live in peace with everyone. Concerning the principal of making amends, there is no requirement for others to accept our apologies or to allow us to make restitutions for our sins against them. It is simply up to us try:
- In the same way we would expect someone to come to us (Luke 16:31)
- In the right time and in the right way specific to the person (Ecclesiates 8:6)
- With the right attitude (Ephesians 4:15)
I am sure that, in Christ, 2 of the keys to life – mending a broken life, and having eternal life – are in forgiving those who have harmed us, and asking forgiveness and making things as right as we can with the ones we have harmed. So, prepare your heart and reach out to God, and let your eternal worries pass away as “water under the bridge” because God loves you and has something better waiting for you.
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