How can I restore a broken relationship?
Matthew 5:23-24“If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”
Take the first step toward reconciling a relationship, which is exactly what God has done through Christ to restore us to himself.
Luke 15:18“‘I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you.”’”
To restore a relationship, we must confess our wrongdoings to God and to the one we have wronged.
Matthew 18:15“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”
Restoration may involve confrontation. Most don’t like conflict, and confrontation brings conflict. But when conflict is resolved, a relationship is restored.
Genesis 50:18-21Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said. But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
Proverbs 19:11Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
Ephesians 4:26, 31-32And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry . . . Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
We can begin to restore a broken relationship by relinquishing our feelings of anger toward the person involved. Anger damages relationships, perhaps more than any other emotion. Forgiveness dissolves anger, perhaps more than any other action. When we forgive others, we no longer see them as our enemies. When we are forgiven, we are drawn to those who have forgiven us.
Colossians 3:13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
We can restore a broken relationship by making allowance for other’s faults and not being easily offended.
Numbers 5:7“They [people who have wronged another] must confess their sin and make full restitution for what they have done, adding an additional 20 percent and returning it to the person who was wronged.”
1 Samuel 12:3“Now testify against me in the presence of the Lord and before his anointed one. Whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe and perverted justice? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong.”
We can restore a broken relationship by making restitution, if necessary, giving back to someone what we have taken from them and more. Restitution brings our actions in harmony with our words. Restitution acknowledges that a wrong has been committed, shows concern for the one wronged, and demonstrates a sincere desire to take responsibility for what we did.
