Forgiveness takes only one person to carry out completely. Reconciliation and restoration take two or more to do.
Let’s do the simple(in the sense that you can do it without another person’s involvement. Note that I didn’t say easy). First step – forgive as you have received forgiveness!
Let’s do the needful (in that it’s the step to freedom). First step – forgive in order to recover the losses that create the hurts that you feel every time you remember the issue(s).
Let’s do the most difficult (in that it’s only God that can set guilty free). First step – forgive as God created you in His image and after His likeness. You’d be like Jesus!
Let’s do the most joyous (in that there’s nothing that produces much joy). First step – forgive as the Holy Spirit of God fills your heart with the great relief from bitterness.
The second step – reconciliation is a testimony of the first – forgiveness. Reconciliation means you’re now in talking terms.
The third step – restoration of friendship is a testimony of the second – reconciliation. Restoration means you’re now happy with the person and want to do things together.
Questions? Let’s talk about forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration of friendship.
