August Devotional
August Devotional
Cherryl Katjivena
Greetings,
Here is our monthly devotional for the month of August.
For those who wish to right their wrongs.
“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” - Matthew 5:23-24 | NKJV
Supplementary Bible Passage:
Matthew 22:37-40
Hebrew 12:14
Romans 5:10
Matthew 5:24
Colossians 1:20-22
Oftentimes we are told to commit our sinful nature to our capable Saviour Jesus and become reconciled to God. But what do you do when your character inconsistencies hamper your progress in your faith, especially when you have hurt others and wish to make amends with a changed character?
Let us set the beginning scene. You have repented of your sinfulness and entrusted your life to God as a born again believer. You are now reconciled to God and made anew (Colossians 1:20-22). Everything is perfect, right? Well, not quite. You don’t understand why you are still irritable to your siblings, or why you tend to have not so saintly outbursts at work or say things you don’t mean to those you love. In the wake of your emotional inconsistency, you have hurt quite a number of people from whom you’ve lost respect. How do you mend things?
Reconciliation with God
Romans 5:10 states that “when we were enemies we reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Firstly, our fellowship with God was broken down by our sinfulness. Then, while being sinners God provided a means of reconciliation through Jesus. Once we repented and became disciples of Jesus, we received the promise of resurrection unto eternal life with our resurrected Saviour! Remind yourself firstly that your current standing with God is secure.
Reconciliation with our neighbour
In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus gives us the greatest commandment, which is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”(v.37.) And then He says something quite interesting. Although loving God is the first and great commandment, the second commandment to love our neighbour is like (similar, comparable, related) to the first! Thus, one must be applied with the other, because God regards our interactions with each other as of related importance to our interactions with Him. How we treat people matters! So take heart when you are grieved at how your actions (or inactions) have hurt people, because the Holy Spirit is imparting on you the God-ordained desire to pursue peace with all people and holiness (Hebrews 12:14). Trust the urges of the Holy Spirit to teach you all things, and follow Him (John 14:26).
Reflection points
Name at least one person you would like to make amends with.
Ask God’s forgiveness for the offence you have caused, and the peace needed to no longer condemn yourself for the actions caused.
Pray for the person you have wronged, for their betterment and God’s mercy, regardless of whether they will accept your request for reconciliation.
Confide in one or two trusted people in your community about the situation, who may later act as mediators and witnesses, as described in Matt 18:16.
Plan and make arrangements to meet the person and make a verbal apology. This varies depending on your circumstances as a face-to-face meeting might not always be possible. However, make a conscious and serious apology, and if material things are involved, consider setting aside funds to restore to the person what you have taken from them.
Forgiveness is not always a given in these circumstances, especially if the sin caused is severe. It will take time. Either way, respect the wishes of the grieved party should they ask for time or space. Continue to seek counsel about the steps you should take and continually be in prayer for all that you do.
Cherryl Katjivena is a young Christian author of poetry and other faith-based content. Based in her home city of Windhoek, Namibia she has built a creative writing community through her blog now called The Saintly Social Namibia formally known as Pettit Cherrie. The Saintly Social is a “Christ-centered lifestyle online community" founded on the principles of authentic community, creative expression and missional pursuits. Compelled to write Christ-inspired creative literature, with the goal of glorifying God and making disciples. Cherryl says “we are a special generation with a God-ordained purpose and my goal is to convey that purpose through writing.”
Serene Truth Resource is a resource centre created under Forthwith Records with the aim to equip men and women with the truth of God, which is the pillar and ground the church of the living God is built upon.
We standing and holdfast to the 2 Timothy 3:16-17 which states “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work,” we want to be intentional about impacting our culture and generations now and after us with the message of the Gospel as the pillar and structure of our conversation calling men to repent and believe in the Son of God. The resources created are tailor-made for the equipping of believers and grounding them to abiding in God through the power of the Holy Spirit, producing the fruit of service and devotion in their day-to-day lives.