stephen R Harrison

Has the Lord ever woken you up at 3am and convicted you of sin? He did me! I didn’t realize that something I said today about a brother was connected to an offense I was harboring in my heart. But the Lord did, and in his grace, he lovingly brought it to mind, led me to truth, and convicted me of sin. That is one of the Spirit of God’s roles (John 16:8).

The solution? Forgiveness! What an ungracious statement I made towards a brother who did nothing wrong! I had harbored an offense towards a brother who had done nothing to offend! What a trap vain imaginations and bitterness are! Thank God Jesus made a way to reconcile us to the Father and showed us the greatest example of forgiveness by forgiving our sins. We are to forgive as we have been forgiven in Christ. Ephesians 4:32 filled my thoughts: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” My short statement was neither kind nor tenderhearted. Jesus, forgive me!

Later this morning, I need to repent to the other brother I spoke the negative word to and then repent to the brother I held the offense against. Why not just repent to the Lord? Perhaps the brother I spoke that word to didn’t take it the wrong way. Certainly, the brother I spoke against knows nothing about it! What a tempting trap. James 5:16 instructs me to “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” I had not prayed for this brother. It should have been my first action toward a brother in Christ!

I robbed God of the opportunity to work powerfully through my prayers in his life! I had also slandered a brother, misrepresented the character of Christ, and potentially tempted another brother to join me in my offense. Confession will restore and strengthen relationships with brothers and not give the devil a foothold. Confession to others will also allow the Lord to heal my unwarranted offense and resolve any destructive bitterness lingering in my heart.

Another Scripture came to mind as well. Matthew 5:23-24 tells me to leave my offering, go be reconciled to my brother, then give. I was about to give something this morning. Oh, how connected our worship through giving is to forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace with others!

Thank God for his lovingkindness, sweet conviction, and gentle reminders to be reconciled. Thank God for his forgiveness! How can I withhold it from someone when he’s forgiven me for so much! Thank God for the Holy Spirit that teaches me to live in response to his grace. Thanks to you if you’re still reading this. If you have lingering sin, why wait?

One of the songs I’m singing this morning says, “I run to the Father. I fall into grace. I’m done with the hiding. No reason to wait. My heart needs a surgeon. My soul needs a friend. So I’ll run to the Father. Again and again, and again, and again.”

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24