JUST APOLOGIZE. Why is it so hard for people to say, “I’m sorry” and actually mean it? Not like when you tell one child to say I’m sorry to another child and you know they’re not REALLY sorry, as they scream, “I AM SORRRRREEEE” and continue to ask you why they had to apologize because they did nothing wrong or make up an excuse. “Never ruin an apology with an excuse.” Benjamin Franklin. Super great advice. I know people that wouldn’t apologize if their life depended on it, at least not sincerely.
Here’s always the dilemma, if I apologize, it means they were right. I used to think this way and it’s rebellious, stubborn thinking. I say, “WHO CARES!” Isn’t the relationship more important than who’s right and who’s wrong? (Caveat: in non-essential matters) To what end will you go to be “right”? The church talks a lot about “love”, but hardly ever is it the true love of God, who selflessly laid down His life for you.
Jesus who was rejected and despised, mocked and ridiculed and proclaimed, “Father God forgive them, for they not what they do.” John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” And I hear people proclaim their “love” for their brethren, “I would take a bullet for you!!” Yet, you can’t even apologize when you hurt someone’s feelings.
You cannot sincerely admit your fault in any given matter. When I see Christians who only want to fellowship with those they like and reject those they do not like, something is wrong with this picture. Even sinners do the same. Offense runs amok in the church. Bitterness and hatefulness are rampant. Pride and arrogance, false doctrine, false brethren, wicked agendas and a false spirit of Jezebel has infiltrated the church. For years the Holy Spirit has been showing me the bad shape the American church was in, but I didn’t want to believe it.
The following Scripture is describing those who claim to be in Christ, not those who are still lost. Folks, we are in perilous times. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”II Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV
From such people turn away. You are to have nothing to do with those who claim Christ and display the above characteristics. Notice to turn away from “slanderers.” You might want to obey Scripture. Here’s a tip, it’s not about you. It is not about your gifts, calling or purpose. They aren’t yours to begin with, we are just stewards of His beautiful gifts. Self-seeking people have warped and twisted Scripture. It’s about Jesus. Are you bringing glory to Him or shame?
Just apologize with a pure heart of repentance and reconciliation. If they don’t receive a heartfelt apology, it’s on them. Leave the outcome up to the Lord. “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.”
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”I Peter 2:7-10 #runyourrace
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