December 23, 2024 -- Romans 12:17-21 -- Making Amends

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21 ESV
 
Those who are following the Overcomers material now move from asking God to place positive character traits them to Step 8. Here the commitment reads as follows: “I make a list of all the people I have harmed and become willing to make amends” (Overcomers Workbook, page 135). Now look at the passage from Romans once again. Now look Step 8 (yes, I’ll wait, just do it).
 
As those who are transformed in Christ, moved from being bent on evil and twisted by the effects of it, your new life so thoroughly transforms your outlook that it becomes your urgent desire for others to experience the same freedom in Christ you now have. The motivation for making amends is directly linked to your life in Jesus Christ. The Spirit places in you positive character traits, renewing your heart and mind so that you are more like Christ. As the people belonging to Jesus, you long for others to know the freedom and peace you have as a committed follower of Jesus.
 
Now, the Spirit will bring to mind people you have not thought of in a long time. People who you’ve actively tried to avoid. People who wounded you. People who you wounded. People you robbed. People you cheated to get away with your addiction. People who you betrayed as you allowed sin to reign in your mortal bodies. It will be overwhelming. It is so hard to face the mountains of hurt you have caused others in your life. It is much easier to nurse your own bitterness and resentment. To do so is to let the new life that is yours in Christ shrivel up. Do not go there.
 
Trust first, that God has placed in you new character traits. He is making you more and more like Himself because He has adopted you as His beloved child. Second, He has, through the reconciling work of Jesus, completely forgiven you. He remembers all your sins. He knows more of them than you’ve ever been able to remember. Sins you committed. Good you meant to do and left undone. Doing what is good, while leaving unattended that which is best. Letting your life be ruled by your feelings rather than what He commands. Yet God has chosen to set aside the remembrance of all your sins in view of Christ, upon Whose person He has punished them.
 
Third, in view of His great forgiving love, you are now moved by the goodness of God to help others find the freedom that comes through the Gospel of peace. You are prepared to face their anger, their bitter “what took you so long” sarcastic reproaches, their disappointment. Why? Because the way forward will be freedom that can only be found in complete obedience to Jesus. That is what Romans 12 commands and Step 8 invites you to do.
 
Making this list does not mean you have to drop everything and start right now in making amends. Writing down the names of people you’ve harmed will lead you to the humble awareness that you have caused a lot of damage. You will realize how freely, how perfectly and how fully God has forgiven you. He does not keep a list of your sins. By making such you will likely find the Spirit of God regularly leading you to pray.  You will know your ability to move forward in this Step can only be achieved through the great and gracious power of God. That is the point.
 
 
Father in heaven, thank You for the full, great and free forgiveness You have granted me through Jesus Christ. Help me to make a list of people I’ve harmed. As I do so, send Your powerful, gracious Spirit to hold me together. To remind me of Your past graciousness which leads me to this present moment of desiring to extend Your grace and love to others in my life. Keep me in the moment, so that I don’t get ahead of myself, but slowly, deliberately and conscientiously, I allow You to work through this process for the greater healing in my relationship with You, with others and even within my own mind and heart. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/SHd2zQQsHUw?si=UjEAZsyRReSCUnr1 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
 

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