Bible Reading: Luke 15:17-21
Focus verse: John 1:8-10 “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives”
The reading in Luke talks about a son who after living a wasted life, a life of sin and separation; he realized that it was time for him to go back to the father. He is reminded of the good social life he used to live while with the father and he now carefully plans how he would win back the heart (love) of the father. He identifies that his sins have separated him from the father and is not worth to be called a son. He as well knew that he had no authority to reinstate himself, only the father could make him as one of his again. All he had to do was to accept his sin and ask for forgiveness.
We all at one time have wronged our friends, our bosses, our families, our spouses or people we really love and cherish. We have made them be broken in the hearts so that they could not find peace. We’ve made some of them to regret if surely they made right choices to have us as friends or spouses. Some have lived with the pain and agony we have caused then so that anytime they are reminded about the pain/scars we caused them, they still weep bitterly. To some, the pain is today completely healed while to others it has remained a fresh sore/pain always. Why? The difference lies on what we said when we came back to them, whether we said the truth/confessed and asked for forgiveness or denied/lied further and remained with the guilt. The Bible says “Truth sets us free”.
Equally we have all sinned against God. All sins whether one or hundreds is enough to separate us from God. He is not happy when we are separated from him and wants us back all the times. Many desire to come back when they realize they are far from Him. We should remember that it is what we say when we come back that unites us back to Him. Many people come back but still live under the guilt of the sins committed because they did not truly confess to Him and repent. They want to falsely justify their own mistakes. God is not pleased when we walk under the guilt of sins that separated us from him. It’s not coming back to the church or Christian family or walking with Christian friends that tell we have come back to God. The major concern is whether we confess to have sinned and ask forgiveness when we come back. Unless we do that, we still live under separation and the guilt of our sin.
Our repentance can set us free and bring healing to the hearts of our friend or loved one that we have made to suffer. Our marriages and broken relationships with friends can blossom again if we accept to confess our wrong doings and ask God to reestablish us again. Do we have friends who are living with scars/pain because of our wrong doings? Are we responsible for the regrets in the lives of our loved ones? Only a statement of “forgive me for all the wrongs I did to you” is enough to help them heal.
Eliazar Wambo
Bethesda Faith Ministries and
Repairer Christian School
