– Just a Thought: We cannot be reconciled to God and maintain that good fellowship if we will not be reconciled to our fellow man. Who cannot connect with the idea that we want God to forgive us but, we are slow to forgive others. However, we know from Jesus Himself and the word of God that our own forgiveness is tied to our ability and willingness to forgive others in the same way God has forgiven us (Mt. 6:14-15). But, forgiving someone and being reconciled to them are two different things. I may claim, “I forgive you.” And, as long as I don’t have to deal with you I am fine. And I think that is how a lot of people feel, think and act. But God’s word goes further than that. Paul instructs us to be reconciled to each other. To repair our broken relationships (as much as is possible with us (Rom. 12:18). Paul tells the Colossians, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Col 3:13) To bear with, means to put up with or give people room to be human, make mistakes and be sinners just like us. In other words, reconciliation begins be holding people to the equal standards we have for ourselves instead of higher ones. Forgiveness is as usual, forgiving others of their faults like we expect others to forgive us for ours. And finally, being reconciled to those who have wronged us or offended or sinned against us comes from recognizing what I ask of the Lord to do for me when I sin against Him. Think about what would happen if we simply cutoff or had absolutely nothing to do with every person who ever hurt ever again. Would that not be a very lonely life? And, if we are completely honest, we already do practice reconciliation with some people in our lives (children, spouses, parents, friends, etc.). It is not that we don’t know how to give room, forgive and be reconciled. It is really more an issue of practicing selective reconciliation. We cannot be reconciled to God and maintain that good fellowship if we will not be reconciled to our fellow man. And the main reason this is true is because, not reconciling with our fellow man as much as is possible with us, is a biblical command. Also, it is what being Christ-like is all about (just look at His relationship with His disciples and us). And, finally, partial forgiveness is no forgiveness. And that will do nothing for us but disrupt our fellowship with God. Do you have someone in mind that the whole time you have been processing this thought, you have been thinking, “There is no way!”? Well, there is a way. And by following that way, again, as much as it is possible with you (it always starts with us). You will find yourself freer. You find your fellowship with God to be better. And if we do it with the right spirit, we might even find these relationships blossom into truly great relationships. Trust the Lord and do what is right according to His word and leave the results to Him. Don’t just rejoice in the fact you have been reconciled to God. Rejoice in the fact that because you have been, you can also be a reconciler with your fellow man.
