There are many hindrances in our lives today that are restricting the work that God would like to do in us. The biggest single area in this respect is that of our relationships with others.
We are commanded by God to“…love your neighbour…” Matt 22:39. Jesus says this is one of the two most important commandments (vs. 40).
This is so because only in unity is true power found. This is witnessed in the power of the Acts church, and was certainly the result of the prayer of Jesus in John 17:20-26. When we have unity we harness a great source of power.
It is not difficult to see why God commanded us to love one another. In doing this, unity would be achieved, and the power of the living God would be witnessed in our lives. This unity and its fruit, power, was found in the church of Acts, who clearly experienced the ‘fullness of Christ’ (Eph. 1:22b-23). The key to this unity was, strong relationships.
Why it is than that, knowing this, we somehow cannot reach that place of true unity and its fruit of power? Because we are unable to cultivate strong and lasting relationships with one another. What causes this situation?
The ‘root of bitterness’ is the biggest single cause in the failure of relationships in the church today. The root of bitterness has a family tree consisting of many branches:- anger, resentment, unforgiveness, bitterness just to name a few.
The root of bitterness family is the chief block to transparency in our relationships with one another. It must be said here that no transparency, and resulting relationship, can ever come about, in any event, without us first being committed to a relationship with God (John 15:5).
As we grow closer to God we desire transparent relationships with one another. Transparency comes as we obey what God tells us to do. His word tells us how to deal with the hindrances that limit our relationships.
Mark 11:25-26 (KJV) and Matt. 18:35, tells us that we will never have any kind of relationship with God or one another unless we are quick to forgive. Next we see that not only are we robbed of a relationship with God, when we don’t forgive, but even more, we effect the lives of others, because we cannot impart life to them (Matt. 16:19; 18:18). Life is the Gospel, the testimony of the work that the Gospel has done in our lives, is the life that we can pass on.
In Matt. 18:18, we see the promised outworking of Mark 11:26. Where, if we don’t forgive, God does not forgive us. Accordingly the matter becomes both bound on earth (in the relationship) and in heaven by God. In addition to which it opens the doors for all kinds of demonic influence in the lives of those involved in the relationship.
There are no loopholes in the necessity for forgiveness as far as God is concerned. Matt. 5:23-24 tells us that even where we have forgiven, we need to ask for forgiveness if someone has anything against us. It is not good enough for us to say that we have nothing against another, if they do hold something against us.
The biggest single area in the failure of relationships is the area of dealing with the ‘splinter in my brothers eye’. When we see another sinning, toward us or another, or just to himself, we must adopt the only solution – God’s word. Matt. 18:15-17. Many abuse this procedure, by either not using it at all, or using it partially. Either way the results are devastating.
The scripture commands us to go to a sinning brother in private. If he repents, all is well, if he does not repent, do not discuss it with another, but take another with you and again consult him in private. If this effort still fails take the elders of the church with you to resolve the issue. If this fails, you will win him with your love and prayers (as is the case with heathens and publicans).
It is most important for us all to realise that if we leave out any of the steps in this scriptural procedure, our efforts will fail and God’s will is not done!
In Cor. 11:28, Paul says that we should examine ourselves before partaking of the communion meal. He warns that if we do not it could invoke dire consequences. This ‘examination’ is not saying one has to confess one’s sins. It’s another way of saying, “Make sure you are in right relationship with your neighbour, before taking part in the communion meal”.
The only requirement for forgiveness is repentance. (Luke 17:3-4; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 8:22).
Scripture is profoundly wise, knows all things and in no way is ever contradictory, even by implication. In James 5:15-16 and 1 John.1:9 we were told to confess our sins.
In the instance of the scripture in James, he is linking the position of illness to the state of sin. Even as did Jesus when he said, “Go, and sin no more”. (John 5:14).
In old Testament scriptures, we see that in certain cases sickness and disease were linked to sin. (2 Kgs. 5:27; 2 Chron. 21:18-19; Mic. 6:13).
Therefore where we harbour bitterness, anger and unforgiveness for long periods we can be the unwitting victims of sickness and disease.
In addition to this where we abuse our bodies though lust (sin), we suffer later consequences.
An example of such a situation would be the case of a person who was a heavy smoker and even although he repents from this way of life when he becomes saved, he contracts emphysema and suffers much as a result.
Therefore James counsels us to confess our faults (sins) one to another, in order that forgiveness, along with its healing effect, can take its course.
Confession of our sins to God, on a daily basis, is a scriptural guarantee that not only will our sins be forgiven (on account of our repentance in confessing) but our minds will be renewed from all the unrighteousness connected to the sins (1 John 1:9).
Is it necessary to search our minds and confess all the sin of our past? No, it is not necessary, for God said, “Remember not the things of the past…” (Is. 43:18-19) and Paul said, “…forgetting those things which are behind…”. If you repent you will be forgiven for all your past sins.
Therefore the only requirement for forgiveness is repentance and to forgive others.
Matt. 18:21-22, 35 shows there can never be any limit to our forgiveness of others. The heart of this matter is to pray earnestly for those who appear unrepentant, that they might turn before it is too late.