Everyone does it. You do it. Your friend does it. Family members do it. Heck! Even pastors do it. We all make mistakes. All of us make blunders, but here's the problem, we keep them to ourselves, and they grow in the isolation of who we are. We hate to admit we even make mistakes. Most of the time, we point our finger to another and say mistakes, not me!" Denial is the very attitude that leads us to our following Wonderfully Weird Command: Be Reconciled.
Reconciliation is a simple but profound concept. It involves restoring a broken relationship caused by mistakes where the bond needs to be returned to "favor" In Matthew 5:23-25, Jesus made it very clear that before we can offer a gift towards "life," we must first be reconciled with people in life. It's our responsibility to reunite, no matter who made the goof. No Christian should ever have an attitude of it's not me; it's everyone else. Understand the only one who has the right to utter such words is God. Other than that, everyone is responsible for bringing back the harmony of God's reality in all relationships.
When we are not responsible for this command or any other, we are unreliable in who we are and reflect the characteristics of fallen people. Responsibility is knowing and doing what God and others expect of me in the framework of God's plan. As well, commitment or duty is not just doing what I said I would do but doing what I know I should do in the light of who I am. Who am I? A person of faith, a Christ-follower, and I should act accordingly. If I can be responsible in all areas of life, people will have confidence in me, otherwise just the opposite. Proverbs 25:19, "Confidence in an unfaithful person in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint (KJV)." Recall, when we have confidence in any other way than what is required in our faith, the results are painful. Let's be responsible for who we are, in our mistakes, and the Wonderfully Weird Commands of Christ.
An important aspect of responsibility is being personally accountable for our beliefs, attitudes, and actions. These areas of accountability are to be consistent with who we are because, in the final judgment, there will be no opportunity to say it wasn't me but everyone else.
Today, let me empower you, rather than give you answers, with scripture to reveal what you can do to be obedient with this command. In the area of belief and thoughts – 2 Corinthians 10:5. In the place of attitude – Philippians 2:14-15, and the setting of actions – James 1:22. I encourage all to examine these verses to understand how to reconcile oneself with others where mistakes are forgiven, and reality can be delightful for all who choose to be responsible in the light of this good command.
With a reconciling heart,