I have sinned and/or done wrong by/against someone. In some instances, I may have done so without even knowing. I may have been just carrying on and did not even realize that someone or God was gone against. These things happen and largely, I/we don’t recognize them. Other times, I have consciously committed sins or wrongs. How am I to handle either situation?
“6Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, 7he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong.” – Numbers 5:6-7 (ESV)
Both situations are referenced in the above verses as the LORD speaks to Moses. I see in verse 7 that “he shall confess his sin”. The first thing that should be done is to confess the sin or wrong that has been committed. Yes, there may be times that I am unaware of my wrong or sin, and that is where verse 6 comes in. We have to be receptive when someone brings that wrong or sin to us. I have to acknowledge the wrong or sin so that I am able to confess to that which I have committed.
Once the confession has taken place, I am to be just getting started. It is one thing to say “sorry for my actions and forgive me”, it is something else to “make full restitution” for that which I have done. I am now responsible for not only acknowledging and seeking forgiveness, but I have to “restore them to the place they were” as I have written in my Bible. I have to make them whole again. I am responsible for tearing them down, and I am responsible to build back up once I realize that which I have done. This goes for God and man alike. I will sin and whereas God is bigger than I am and more forgiving, I have to work to restore the relationship with Him that I have damaged with my sin.
And now for the final action. The one that I know that I forget about and needed the reminder this morning. I have to not only make them whole, but I also should be “adding a fifth” or, adding to the one I have committed against to have “them be better off than before” as I again have written in my Bible. I know it seems like I have done my work to even things, but I had taken something and they had to do without for a time. I have to return them to where they were and then supply interest for that which they missed out. No, I do not have to “give them money” to make them more. It is about not just restoring them, but building them up. I have given back to them, now I have to give more to demonstrate my commitment to knowing I was wrong and being better as I go forward.
I have to be committed to doing the right thing and more when I have done the wrong thing. It is my “penance” if you will for the actions that I took against. When I do wrong, I am responsible for restoration and improvement once realizing the wrong.
What wrongs are you aware, or not, that you have committed? Have you been wondering of what to do now? What if you were to approach as the LORD says to Moses, confess, restore and build up?
Trevor's Thoughts 