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JANUARY 16, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

Writer's picture: Pastor Tony PiercePastor Tony Pierce



JANUARY 16 DEVOTION BIBLE READING: MATTHEW 18:15-17


Our usual view is that if someone has done us wrong, it's up to them to seek us out and make it right. After all, they did the wrong so it should be them that takes the first step to make things right. That's the way the world works...but do you realize that is not exactly what the Bible teaches? When man sinned in the garden, they ran and hid...and it was God who sought them out. We are sinners also. We are guilty of wrong against God...and it wasn't we who sought God out to make things right, but God who sought us. Aren't you glad the Lord did not wait for us to seek Him? If that was how it worked, none of us could know salvation, because there is none of us who would seek Him. He came to us, not we to Him. It is God's way, even if it's not the world's way that we make things right with those who have sinned against us.


Jesus says when we have issues with a brother/sister, it is our responsibility to go and make things right with them. He is calling on us to move to the place where we offer forgiveness in order that the relationship might be restored. It certainly is a very humbling thing to go to someone who has done you wrong and attempt to make things right. There is always the very real possibility that they won't receive your offer of forgiveness. You can't make someone respond to you or your offer. The Lord offers forgiveness to all sinners in His Son; sadly, most will walk away rejecting this great offer. Paul says in the book of Romans, "As much as it depends on you, live at peace with all people." The Scripture teaches us that we should not be the cause of the problem; we should be ready to forgive and restore. That being said, there will always be those who will not accept your forgiveness...they will deny the need of it...they don't want to live at peace with you. Being like Christ calls us to reach out first, even when it's not our fault; Jesus did that with us. Aren't you glad He did?


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