Making amends is part of the sin recovery process. Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Sunday, September 23, 2018
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 09.23.2018” on Spreaker.
Today’s Scripture Focus: Exodus 22:10-15
We are focusing on sin recovery principle number eight of 12: “We made a list of all persons we have harmed and are willing to make amends.”
‘Fess Up
I cannot tell a lie. It is extremely difficult to own up to our wrongs especially if we have harmed someone through irresponsibility. I will give an example that may or may not apply directly to you, but please see the principle here.
What if you borrowed a vehicle from a good friend? You were driving down the road to the supermarket and did not see that there was a concrete block that had apparently fallen from a truck that is long gone. You see it too late and hit it, destroying the tire and front bumper cover. What do you do when it is time to return the vehicle? How do you explain what happened? Do you simply return the vehicle, hand over the keys, say that you made a mistake and go about your business? Is there a better way of handling this? Today’s thought is not about forgiveness, so we will not seek to apply that principle yet.
Level with Me
It is human nature for us to shirk responsibility. Some men sire children and walk out on the mother (for whatever reasons). Some people spread rumors on social media about others, and when they realize whatever they wrote was not true, they don’t even bother to make amends with the injured party or create a new post to clarify the error. Some of us borrow money or property, and if repaying becomes inconvenient, we expect our friends or loved ones to eat the deficit like they are banks who can charge off the debt and write it off on their taxes. And all of this is not to mention those of us who have had issues with substance abuse or general habits with stealing.
The point here is that we know there is cause and effect in every aspect of life. There is also an expectation that we will own up to our wrongdoing and make restitution. If you have harmed someone, abused their property, or owe a debt, seek out those you’ve harmed and come up with a plan to make things right. Every situation is different. The exact manner in which to handle it is different, but the principle is the same. Do your level best in the Lord, and make things right. You will be so glad you did even if there are consequences. The Lord is with you.
