Trapped by Past Sin – No Secrets!

          

Can you imagine the anxiety and fear Joseph's brothers must have felt returning home from their trip to Egypt to face Jacob without their brother Simeon? He was being held in custody as assurance they would return with their younger brother Benjamin. "Be sure your sins will find you out” became a reality for these brothers.

The trap these brothers fell into is classic. They had lied to their father about Joseph and covered it up for decades. Remember the men who bombed the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four little girls? Decades later, those guilty of the crime had to face justice for what they had done. There are no secrets for God.

The good news is that God’s forgiveness is available, and forgiveness brings unspeakable joy and peace to a troubled soul. Choose to confess what cannot be hidden from God. When you take this step, restoration of fellowship with Christ Jesus and others is attainable. May God give you courage to take this step for a new beginning.  

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“But if you don’t do what you say, you will be sinning against God; you can be sure that your sin will track you down.”

~Numbers 32:23 The Message

In Scriptures God says, “I swear by my very life that everyone will kneel down and praise my name!” And so each of us must give an account to God for what we do.

~Romans 14:11-12 Contemporary English Version

Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

~Psalm 51:12 The Living Bible

Trustworthiness: Essential to Reconciliation

Making amends is usually a give-and-take affair between two people, with each person being equally responsible for the success of the effort. The one seeking to make amends must demonstrate humility and sincerity in addition to presenting an attitude of trustworthiness.

  

          The one receiving the offer of reconciliation is responsible for being receptive with humility and sincerity. Esau had every right to hesitate when Jacob attempted to make amends for cheating him out of his birthright and his father's blessing. Instead he reached out to Jacob with love and forgiveness because he saw trustworthiness in Jacob that could not be denied.

          Trustworthiness is essential when one seeks to make amends. For fellowship to be restored, the recipient is responsible for receiving it with an attitude of humility. Esau reached out to Jacob with the blessing of peace by giving him a hug and a kiss. This clearly opened the door for God to bless both brothers. What greater reward could there be for making amends? 

Sometimes "I'm Sorry" Is Not Enough

Making amends is never a frivolous matter. It involves more than simply saying, "I’m sorry." Sometimes parents force children to say those words knowing they’re not sincere. Making amends goes beyond seeking forgiveness or apologizing. Making amends takes steps to compensate for causing hurt and suffering whenever possible.  

          Jacob knew if he were to live in peace with his brother, he would have to make amends to appease Esau’s anger and hurt. Making amends attempts to restore a relationship to trust and respect. It's comparable to atoning for deliberate wrongs committed against someone because of anger, greed, jealousy, or fear.

          Jacob was desperate. He was willing to bow down in subjection to his brother. Jacob had stolen his brother’s position, wealth and power, so making a sacrifice worthy of Esau’s loss was the issue. When you consider the sacrifice that Jesus made for us so we could be in right standing with God, our sacrifices seem so insignificant in comparison.  

Ready to Thrive

As a young boy I loved playing under a sycamore tree with my truck and tractor toys. My yard served as a playground with very little grass, which was the norm where I grew up. Constructing “play like” roads and bridges was my favorite amusement. I never imagined that as an adult I would help others build relationship bridges.    

In a literal sense, bridges provide a passageway from one point to another. When rain came down fast and furious creating a flood, the bridge on our country road would break loose and be washed away by the power of rushing water. Conflict and troubles have the power to break down the ties that bind people to one another.

Bridges of communication can cease to exist between people in conflict who love and care for each other. But like the bridge that washed away, bridges of communication can be restored where there is the will and desire to do so. The presence of God creates opportunities not only to survive but to thrive in the presence of troubles.