{Various Passages}
[Rev. Dwight Yoo]
The last sermon in this series is very important for understanding this message and even for your own spiritual and personal life. I highly recommend that you listen to it. (Conflict starts in the heart (mp3))
We are broken people, with broken relationships. Nine inch nails describes this in a song called Hurt(YouTube).
It is into a world of brokenness that Jesus came into. He is the one who stepped into all this brokenness and gives us hope for healing. Not only this, but He also calls us to be His ambassadors to the world. To point people to this hope we have in Christ. So Christians should have a suspicion of our intentions and our heart. We should jump to admit where we have gone wrong and our conflicts with others.
Confession before God
All offenses against others are ultimately a sin against God.
"For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment." - Psalm 51:3-4
"He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" - Genesis 39:9
"Yet this is what Jesus did. He told people that their sins were forgiven, and never waited to consult all the other people whom their sins had undoubtedly injured. He unhesitatingly behaved as if He was the party chiefly concerned, the person chiefly offended in all offences. This makes sense only if He really was the God whose laws are broken and whose love is wounded in every sin." - C.S. Lewis "Mere Christianity"
Why are sins against others, sins against God?
- God is their Maker = Proverbs 13:21
- Christ is the Head of His Body = Ephesians 1, 4, and Colossians 1
- God commands us to love others = Matthew 22:37-40
- God commands us to love Him first = Exodus 20:3
For those of us who think that since we are in not in conflict with others and everything seems peaceful, we don't think this applies to us. We'll take some notes and remind others to resolve their conflicts. I warn you that you still may have sins of omission. Sins where you are falling short of things God commands. You are selfish and not loving others. You are not there for others.
What happens when love something over God?
Say what we are living for is success. What happens when someone gets in your way at work? You will punish them. You will back stab, start rumors, and do anything to keep your career on track. Or you'll neglect your family.
So how should we confess?
Confess before God
- With Assurance = 1 John 1:9; Psalm 32:5; Psalm 51:12
- With Hope = Colossians 3
Confession before Others
The 7 A's of Confession
Address Everyone Involved
Heart sins do not need to be confessed to others. These are thoughts and mindset sins that never became action. They should be confessed to God. But you do not need to confess to people.
Social sins need to be confessed to others. These are sins that became action. Each person who has been sinned against should be confessed to.
Avoid If, But and Maybe
These are the quickest way to ruin an apology. They express this feeling of callousness and uncaring. The word "but" eliminates everything you said before it.
Admit specifically
This expresses exactly what you want to change and how you've wronged this person.
Acknowledge the Hurt
Don't just apologize for your action. Acknowledge the feelings and pain.
Accept the Consequences
Let them know that you accept the results of what you have done. This is the perspective of a genuine and repentant heart.
Alter your Behavior
Explain to them how you will change your behavior. How will you change your behavior?
Ask for Forgiveness (and allow time)
Sometimes we get forgiveness by the end of the apology. But there are times where they are not ready to forgive yet. The best thing to do is to give them time and be patient with them.
No comments:
Post a Comment