Leviticus 6:2-4 - “If a person sins
and commits a trespass against the Lord by lying to his neighbor
about what was delivered to him for safekeeping, or about a pledge, or about a
robbery, or if he has extorted from his neighbor, or if
he has found what was lost and lies concerning it, and swears falsely—in any
one of these things that a man may do in which he sins: then
it shall be, because he has sinned and is guilty, that he shall restore what he
has stolen, or the thing which he has extorted, or what was delivered to him
for safekeeping, or the lost thing which he found”
God gets really detailed about how to deal with trespasses. In all cases…they are to be restored…plus
an extra amount on top of the restoration.
The restoration was for the person that suffered because of the
trespass. The guilty still had to make atonement
for his sin with an offering to God as well.
I sat a while this morning…thinking about what that meant for
me…and eventually God put in my spirit a step six…of the Eight principles… of
the Celebrate recovery program I work with. It says. Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me
and make amends for harm I done to others, except when to do so would harm them
or others.
This principle is based on Matthew 5:7 and 9 from the
beatitudes. The Bible says… “Blessed are
the merciful” ….and “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Mercy and peace…two things
we need to thrive in a world that has crazy surprises to keep us down every
day. We sure don’t need any extra weight on our shoulders...the more we can tap
into God’s power to give us peace through forgiveness and making amends…the
lighter our heart becomes as we deal with all the people around us.
Most trespasses are hidden from our heart. We forget that we ever did anything to hurt
anyone. I for one get a lesson most weeks from people around me. Most seem to have
forgiven when they recall the time that I messed up and did something to cause
them hurt… but that doesn’t stop my heart from feeling bad that I never made
amends for it. I have to let God help me stay in the humble lane… so he can
help me think of ways to try and make it right.
Father…thank you for the reminder that trespasses cause hurt
o those around me and keep me from being an effective witness. Forgive me for the times that I have
trespassed against anyone…knowing or unknowing.
Help me to listen to you tell me how to make amends for any of these
times my mind and heart have hidden from my brain. Amen.
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