But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and
reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward
the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
Earlier this week, I wrote a letter to a man who had some questions as to how to deal with feelings of guilt over the hurt he had caused various members of his family in the past...
reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward
the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
Earlier this week, I wrote a letter to a man who had some questions as to how to deal with feelings of guilt over the hurt he had caused various members of his family in the past...
He told me he still struggles with trying to get their complete forgiveness, and what to do about it. This is a common thing as many people have issues involving their past, those whom they have hurt, and how to make things right, and how to deal with the situation if forgiveness is refused. So I am going to share a portion of my reply to him in the hope that maybe my advice will help someone else who's dealing with the same problem.
"...Concerning your questions, the past cannot always be fixed or changed. Some things
we just have to trust the Lord about, and by faith go forward with our lives, leaving the
past behind. This is not easy, of course. Look at Moses. He took a man's life stabbing him
to death in cold blood and in a fit of self-righteous anger. He then went into hiding for
forty years before, God visited him through a burning bush and sent Moses back to Egypt.
"Or how about Joseph? He was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. He ended
up having to live in Egypt for a good portion of his life. Eventually he was reunited with
his family and Joseph's story has become one of the most beautiful stories in the Scriptures,
but his past could not be changed.
"And think about some of the worst sinners of all. King David was one of them - adultery,
murder, lying. There was simply no fixing his mess-ups, and there was no glossing over his
terrible sins.
"And then there is the Apostle Paul, whom, before his conversion, was a bloodthirsty killer
of his fellow Jews, both men and women, who had embraced Jesus as their Messiah. By his
own confession, Paul had put many of them to death, and he tortured and beat many more.
But both these men received God's forgiveness and were thus able to go on with their lives.
"In your case, I do not know all the details as to why you have some issues with guilt over
things in your past. But if you are in Christ, and you have Jesus as your Savior, you are
already forgiven by Him. As the Scripture says: 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness' (1 John 1:19).
"I would encourage you to give the matter over to God. Let Him handle it. Let God touch
and soften hard hearts. You cannot force others to forgive. So leave the matter to Jesus,
and by God's grace move on with your life knowing you have done your best to make
amends.... Live with the joy that God provides for you each day. Be at peace, and rest in
the Lord, and wait with patience for the Lord to act on your prayers. Also, do not allow
the sins and blunders of the past to rob you of the peace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ
has for you today... I hope this is helpful. Best wishes to you."
D.B.
"...Concerning your questions, the past cannot always be fixed or changed. Some things
we just have to trust the Lord about, and by faith go forward with our lives, leaving the
past behind. This is not easy, of course. Look at Moses. He took a man's life stabbing him
to death in cold blood and in a fit of self-righteous anger. He then went into hiding for
forty years before, God visited him through a burning bush and sent Moses back to Egypt.
"Or how about Joseph? He was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. He ended
up having to live in Egypt for a good portion of his life. Eventually he was reunited with
his family and Joseph's story has become one of the most beautiful stories in the Scriptures,
but his past could not be changed.
"And think about some of the worst sinners of all. King David was one of them - adultery,
murder, lying. There was simply no fixing his mess-ups, and there was no glossing over his
terrible sins.
"And then there is the Apostle Paul, whom, before his conversion, was a bloodthirsty killer
of his fellow Jews, both men and women, who had embraced Jesus as their Messiah. By his
own confession, Paul had put many of them to death, and he tortured and beat many more.
But both these men received God's forgiveness and were thus able to go on with their lives.
"In your case, I do not know all the details as to why you have some issues with guilt over
things in your past. But if you are in Christ, and you have Jesus as your Savior, you are
already forgiven by Him. As the Scripture says: 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness' (1 John 1:19).
"I would encourage you to give the matter over to God. Let Him handle it. Let God touch
and soften hard hearts. You cannot force others to forgive. So leave the matter to Jesus,
and by God's grace move on with your life knowing you have done your best to make
amends.... Live with the joy that God provides for you each day. Be at peace, and rest in
the Lord, and wait with patience for the Lord to act on your prayers. Also, do not allow
the sins and blunders of the past to rob you of the peace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ
has for you today... I hope this is helpful. Best wishes to you."
D.B.
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