“Please forgive me,” I essentially told a businessman I know one day. “I was wrong.”
“I apologize,” I basically said though I do not remember the exact words. “I was wrong to put stress on you when you were already under stress.”
I had been selfish and self-centered. I had wanted help with something and had not respected his needs at the time. I had tried to force him into helping me when he had other matters to address. I was demanding and inconsiderate of his needs.
Now mind you the businessman had NOT come to me, and he had NOT confronted me. So why did I bother to apologize? Why did I decide to be more respectful in the future? Surely I could have gotten away with what I had done not to mention continue in the wrong behavior.
The Holy Spirit of God who lives in His followers had led me to repentance! He had brought conviction of my sinful behavior! And He had lovingly and mercifully forgiven me and compelled me to tell the businessman sorry and change how I treated him in the future!
In essence, I had acted in obedience to God! Jesus Christ is Lord, and we are to live in obedience to Him!
Regardless of whether or not people tell us we have done wrong toward them, we need to continually cleanse ourselves, repent, correct our behavior, and apologize to people if / as / when the Lord so leads us!
Have some cleansing to do? Repenting? Correcting your behavior? Some apologizing?
I encourage you to pray and do whatever God tells you to do!
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV