IF you confess, God will forgive. Does the past end here? The answer is yes and no. When a part of your past is a private matter, the past is erased; however, when a shameful part of your past involves another person, there must be an attempt at restoring that relationship. Making things right with God is the first step, but making things right with others is the next step. I will go as far to say that you cannot properly worship God until you have attempted to reconcile with an enemy. Maybe you believe my statement to be extreme, so I would like to show you the words of Jesus regarding this matter. Matthew 5:23-24 says, “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” Jesus’ teaching is very clear. Worship of God is unacceptable until an attempt to resolve conflict with someone else has been made. Did you leave your last job with unresolved issues? Have you refused to speak with a family member because of a past argument? Did your relationship end on a sour note? If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes,’ the past cannot be erased until you make an honest effort to reconcile. I’m sure you can think of numerous reasons NOT to reconcile but according to the words of Scripture, you have a responsibility to make it right. Unresolved conflict with another person will always be a part of your past until you have sought restoration. There is no way to sidestep this requirement.
You may be asking, “What if I go to that person and they refuse to forgive me?” This a great and honest question. I believe that when you approach another individual with the right heart attitude and they reject you, the responsibility now rests with them. You cannot force someone to reconcile. The situation must then be entrusted to God so He can be free to work in their heart.
There will never be an easy time to make amends, but it is a necessary step in erasing the past.
Are you ready to do this? Make the phone call. Write the letter. Schedule a conversation over coffee.
Posts in this series, Erasing the Past:
Something I’d Rather Forget
A Big ‘If’
Are You Ready To Do This?
I’m So Ashamed of Myself…
