by Frances Tibayan
How many times have you stood in front of the person you have offended and said these words, “I’m sorry.” Let’s dissect what these words convey. We often hear children apologize with these same words when they accidentally spill milk. They communicate, “I messed up.” Those are good words to say if the offense was a mistake or a misunderstanding. But what if it was more than that?
Sin vs Mistake
When we offend someone, we must ask ourselves, “Did I sin against him and God?” The answer will determine how you handle the reconciliation. If you sinned, then humbly asking your friend for forgiveness aligns yourself with God. The biblical response to sin is asking for forgiveness, not merely apologizing. An apology communicates you are sorry someone got hurt. Seeking forgiveness acknowledges moral transgression and the relational chasm you created. Sin reveals an offense first against God (Psalm 51:4). First, asking the Lord for forgiveness and choosing to turn away from sin expresses true repentance. Repentance is, as Charles Spurgeon stated, “a discovery of the evil of sin, a mourning that we have committed it, a resolution to forsake it.” Our first priority is to seek God’s forgiveness trusting in Christ that
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