Have you Been Reconciled?

Goodness - the Lord has, and is doing, a mighty work me, especially since my Mom was diagnosed with Stage IV Adenocarcinoma and given just 6-8 months to live.  That was on April 11, 2011 and 4 months later and it’s so amazing to see how God has worked. And…. I've had a front row seat to it all!! And it's been unreal. Remarkable, really.

I am finally allowing The Spirit to stir me up and I at last have the boldness and the tenacity to let my Jesus water spill over onto my family and friends. It's amazing what can happen when someone allows the Spirit to infiltrate their EVERYTHING!!! I'm a life that has been changed because of it.

 Here is a short devotional that I am hoping will make it into my book, when it’s finished. I pray that this will provide you with just a little encouragement and bless you and inspire you in all the right ways and places!!

The Process of Reconciliation

Reconciliation is a process that brings about peace or renewal in a relationship. I like things to be simple, so I came up with a list of what the process of reconciliation consists of:

1. A positive relationship exists

2. A negative or hurtful act is committed by one or both parties

3. One or both parties humble themselves to admit wrongdoing and asks for forgiveness

4. Forgiveness is willfully granted

5. Renewed or reconciled relationship exists

The Word of God gives us many examples of this process of reconciliation. One of my favorite parables follows this process from beginning to end.

If you will just take a look at Luke 15:11-32, you will find the story of the prodigal son. As you read through this passage you can see how it aligns perfectly with the process described above.

1. Luke 15:11, 12 – A father and son relationship exists.

2. Luke 15:13,14 – The son negatively impacts his father by taking his inheritance (a large portion of his father’s wealth/retirement) and wasting it on wild living

3. Luke 15:18, 19 – The son humbles himself and is going to request his father’s forgiveness and the opportunity to become one of his father’s hired servants

4. Luke 15:22 – The father willfully accepts and forgives his son and welcomes him back into the family.

5. Luke 15:24 – The Father and son have a renewed relationship.

This simple story gives us a great example of the process of reconciliation. It includes three aspects that are always involved with reconciliation: humbleness, love, and forgiveness. God desires to have a reconciled relationship with each one of us. In fact, the purpose of Jesus becoming a man and his death and resurrection was so that He could reconcile man’s relationship with God. This is the ultimate reconciliation:

1. God had an intimate relationship with man - Genesis 2:7-25

2. Sin entered the world through disobedience - Genesis 3:11-13, Romans 3:23

3. We must humbly confess our sin and ask for forgiveness – Psalms 51:1-2, Hosea 5:15

4. Jesus is willing to forgive the sins of all those who put their faith in Him – Isaiah 43:25

5. We then enter into a relationship with God which will last for eternity – John 10:27-29

God loves us so much that He put this beautiful process together so that we can have an intimate and fulfilling relationship with Him. He also desires for us to have fulfilling relationships with our family and friends. Jesus consistently preached that we are to forgive not only our friends, but our enemies (Matthew 18:21-22). I know that’s so hard to do at times.  But if God can forgive US, then who are we to think that we are above forgiving others? God has given us the process, but it’s up to us to put it in action!

Ask yourself these tough questions:

Who do I need to forgive today? How can I show them love?

Is there a relationship in my life that God is calling me to reconcile?

For the past 4 months I have spent part of each day with my Mom, and as we have talked about times past and various trials that either she went through or my Dad went through, there is one recurring theme…..forgiveness.  As my Mom has said, what good does it do anyone to be bitter towards someone else?  The person who has hurt or wronged us most likely has forgotten what they did.  Or if not, then they just don’t care.  We can experience the freedom and peace that brings a sweet calmness to our souls only when we mirror what Christ did on the cross and offer forgiveness, freely.

Lord, help me to follow Your example and to not merely PROFESS Christianity, but to POSSESS Your forgiving Spirit.  Remind me that I will never be able to forgive another MORE than what You have already forgiven me……I am nothing by a sinner, saved by grace…Your grace. Thank you sweet Jesus!