One of the great needs we all have is the reconciliation of fractured relationship. At the human level this is very difficult to do. But in the case of our broken relationship with God, He has already met us more than halfway by offering us reconciliation through Jesus Christ. God's work of reconciliation is even more profound since God committed more of the wrongs in our relationships with Him.
By accepting the forgiveness He offers, we can have our relationship with God restored. We are also called to follow God & to offer the gift of forgiveness to others. If the gift of forgiveness is offered by someone else we humbly accept it.
Some of us who have been walking in faith for a while, may have grown tired of playing this role. We may found it exhausting to be a model for others. We feel the burden of numerous expectations. As a result some of us may have quit trying to help others. If this is the case somewhere along the line we stopped letting God work through us and started working for God. As we grow spiritually the responsibility to help others will always be there but the power to do so must always come from God.
We may not be able to control how another person acts in a broken relationship but we can control how we act. We should never be the one to withhold forgiveness. Extend the invitation of restoration to others humbly & without reservation.
Sometimes the spiritual changes we make can upset some of our previous friendships. Some of our old friends may be uncomfortable with us because they feel guilty about their own sin or they feel no quilty at all. Others may feel threatened by the changes we are making.
If we find that friend or associate undermines our relationship with God, we need to be careful of such a relationship. This does not mean we do not reach out to unbelievers, it only means that we do not become to close to people who will lead us away from God & the lives He calls us to live. Our primary relationships need to be with unselfish godly people who will support our spiritual growth.
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