“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 ESV
“I am truly sorry for interrupting you & speaking to you in the manner I did. I was wrong & prideful & should have listened and then responded if and as the Lord would have led me. Thank you in advance for forgiving me, sweet friend!!!” I wrote a beloved friend one fine morning.
The morning was fine, such a fine, fine morning, because the Lord had so filled me with His glorious Spirit, had for so long been refining me and transforming me by His Spirit through deep, dedicated, and intentional study of His Word, that He had delivered me to a place to which I, and all of us, desperately needed to arrive.
The place of love and humility, of repentance before God and of seeking forgiveness from humans, of being ready and willing at all times to measure oneself up against the Word of God and to readily admit wrongdoing, to confess sin, with an ever willingness and desire to be further conformed by God to Christ His most beloved Son and Christ followers’ most precious Lord and Savior!
Following Christ to have a forever relationship with God does not necessitate a one-time repentance and turning to God but instead a lifestyle of continuing acknowledgement, confession, and turning away from sin toward God, His Word, His will, and His ways as He by His Spirit through His Word with His everlasting love, mercy, kindness, and goodness hammers, chisels, and carves away anything ungodly in our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions all the while making us more and more like Him and bringing us closer and closer to Him here on this earth and for eternity in heaven!
Is there someone the Spirit of God is impressing upon your heart you need to admit wrong to? Begin with seeking forgiveness from Him, and in His strength with the heart and words He gives you go to the person you need forgiveness from!