Reconciliation ~ Part 2

Does the Past Count?

Not dealing with the offense will hinder forward movement. At the personal level, key scriptures are Matthew 5.21~24, 1 Cor. 10.32, & Col. 3.8~15 (there are probably more but these will suffice). On the larger scale, you can look to 1^st Samuel chapter 21. Thanks be to God that because of the work of the Cross that there be no need for the offending party be slain. The Law of Reaping & Sowing has been supplanted by the ways of Grace, which means that the curses outlined in Deut. 28.16~68 are dealt with. But there still remain consequences for past actions (or non-actions). We still live in a broken world and all things have not been healed. And in those places of brokenness where offense has not been dealt with, there perhaps remains some level of curse still active.

Part of the challenge is to find open doors that will lead to reconciliation. Without an openness/willingness of all the parties involved, then there will be little chance of the process happening. Still, opening gestures must be made. Perhaps that itself will be the seed of change that is needed for further healing and growth.