What is Reconciliation?

Dear Friends,

Reconciliation is just not saying sorry, but saying sorry or being repentant or grieved about the offence is one part of reconciliation. When a nation or group of people commit a national sin, repentance happens first then reconciliation. You can’t be forgiven and restored to a right relationship to those we offend without true contrition of sin. True contrition for sin means that not only are we sorry for committing the sin, but it includes a resolve to not commit that sin again. Also included in reconciliation is making reparations for our sins, when that is possible. Making reparations after we apologize shows that we are truly sorry for our sins.

In the bible John the Baptist warned us that we must bear fruit in keeping with repentance, (Luke 3:8) Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. What is the gospel telling us here? There can only be restoration until we behave in a way that is in keeping with our profession. If we say we are sorry, then we must behave in a way that demonstrates our contrition! Reconciliation can only happen after we have repented, and made every effort to restore to those that which we have taken from them.

National repentance happens when a nation accepts the consequences for their national sins, and then tries to make reparations for the sins they committed. Forgiveness can only be demonstrated only if the people the offence was committed against accepts the apology. When the conditions for national forgiveness have been met, reconciliation can happen between the parties that are not reconciled to each other. It should be taken into account that the reparations should be in effect to a similar way the sin committed against the party that we are seeking forgiveness from was committed. This is Mike.

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