Pastor Jim Thomas
How to Pursue Reconciliation, Restoration and Forgiveness
- There must be the context of a loving relationship.
- There must be clarity regarding sin.
- There must be a personal approach.
- When it comes to reconciliation, restoration and forgiveness, Christ is both our means and our model.
“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” – James 5:19-20
“Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.” – C.S. Lewis
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
“God wants and intends the restoration of a lost world to Himself and to its true nature and destiny by breaking down whatever barriers are placed between it and Him, and in Jesus Christ He actually makes this possible.” – Alister McGrath, Studies in Doctrine
“He who seeks revenge digs two graves.” – Chinese Proverb
“When somebody you’ve wronged forgives you, you’re spared the dull and self-diminishing throb of a guilty conscience. When you forgive somebody who has wronged you, you’re spared the dismal corrosion of bitterness and wounded pride. For both parties, forgiveness means the freedom again to be at peace inside their own skins and to be glad in each other’s presence.” – Frederick Buechner
“Nothing moves us to forgive like the wondering knowledge that we ourselves have been forgiven. Nothing proves more clearly that we have been forgiven than our own readiness to forgive.” – John Stott