Making things right.

This week, we’re working through a series about the power of using one single word. When you think about it, one humble cry for "help” could change your life. One “yes” to God could completely change the direction of your eternity. One well-thought-through "no” could protect your heart, alleviate your stress, and change your life. One well-placed "thanks” could change you and change the heart of the recipient of that thank you.

Today, we are going to use our words to bring the power of forgiveness. This is my question to you: Whom do you need to seek forgiveness from? Whom do you need to apologize to and for what? This is a challenge for many of us because in making an apology, we first have to admit that we were wrong. Take that step. Be humble, admit your wrong, and make it right.

In Psalm 51, David teaches us how to make a sincere apology to God Himself. Look at the beautiful components to a godly apology:

1) Humbly acknowledge that you were wrong.

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight; so You are right in Your verdict and justified when You judge.” (Psalm 51:3-4, NIV)

David is saying, “I own my wrong. I know my transgressions. I know what I did. I know that any sin that I commit is primarily a sin against God. I know that He knows my secrets. I know what I did.”

In another Psalm, David says, “I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.” (Psalm 38:18, NIV)

2) Sincerely ask for forgiveness.

Listen to how David asks for forgiveness: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, NIV)

David is saying, “God, I have sinned against You. I own it, and now I need You to do whatever You need to do to wipe my heart clean, remove my sin, and then renew the kind of spirit within me that will keep me from slipping back into my sinful pattern.”

3) Believe that God can and will forgive you (see also 1 John 1:9).

“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17, NIV)

God promises peace for all those who make sincere apologies. While we cannot control the response of the person we have wronged, we can know that God will honor our attempt to make it right.

4) Tell the story of God’s forgiveness.

“Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, You who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare Your praise.” (Psalm 51:14-15, NIV)

Every sincere apology brings with it an opportunity to share how Jesus has forgiven us. When we bring Jesus into the conversation, the door for grace swings open wide.

The KEY to the word “sorry” is unlocked when we approach the person we have wronged and use our words to heal and reconcile. Whom do you need to use the word “sorry” with today? You can do it, and when you do, the miracle hope of reconciliation is your miracle today.

You are a miracle!

Grant