December 30th
December 30th
One of the great things about following those 12 biblical steps is that we are given assignments, things to put into action rather than just introspection. Action helps to reinforce the changes that are taking place.
Look at the remaining steps: Forgive/repair, make amends, daily growth, prayer/connection, and serve. Those all involve actions.
Forgive/repair is an important first step in the healing process. A few things to remember about this one: Forgiveness does not necessarily mean reconciliation. Forgiveness is the first step in the healing process, NOT the last step. It does not come after the person who hurts you rights the wrong or acknowledges their wrongdoing. Forgiveness is accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are not expected to be able to forgive on our own. (see John 20:22-23 below) Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit and with that came the power to forgive. Forgiveness is for your benefit not the person who did you wrong. Forgiveness does not mean that you are excusing the wrong or saying that it was ok. Forgiveness does not depend on the other person, only on your willingness to let God bring forgiveness for that person to your heart. Let’s ask God to show us who we need to forgive!
John 20:22-23 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Making amends- this is a humbling step for sure because it is an outward humbling but it is also tricky. We have to pray about it and let God lead us in this one. If making amends is purely for our benefit (make us feel better/less guilty) then it may not be the right thing to do. We shouldn’t cause further harm to others by trying to make amends, so we need to only proceed down this road if it is not harmful and will truly benefit the other person. Either way, we need to be willing to, even if we can’t actually do it. I like what Rudy says about this one: Amends are not about changing the past - they are about changing your future. They break the cycle of guilt and shame. They restore integrity and bring peace.
Luke 6:31 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Matthew 5:22-24 “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
Daily growth, prayer/connection-these are reminders that it is all about our relationship with Jesus. Our time spent with Him in prayer and scripture reading is not a checklist, it is a relationship. A relationship where we continue to examine ourselves and confess and surrender and He continues to transform us and make us new. We have to stay connected to Him daily because we so easily drift off the path. It really all boils down to denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily doesn’t it?
1 Corinthians 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Serve- this is putting our change, our healing, into action for others. Remember Jesus doesn’t just heal us for our own good, He wants to use it to reach others and bring them healing too!
Ephesians 6:7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Jesus, help me to make these steps of action a part of my daily life. Show me how to walk according to your word. Show me areas in my heart and life that need attention and transformation and help me to surrender those areas and move towards action in those areas. Help me to forgive and give me your forgiveness for those who have hurt me. Thank you for your forgiveness for me, your love and your patience.