Be reconciled
No one finds security by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous will never be moved. Proverbs 12:3
Read Matthew 5:20—26
I would not dare insult God and think I can come before his face. I would not dare. I can only dare come before God in holy reverence. Confessing my sin, I pray, ‘Forgive me. Forgive us our sins.’ Even more, I come confessing Christ as my Saviour. Then I can come before the Lord. Now it appears that I am to come even before my enemies in the same way. With holy reverence. I pray, ‘as we forgive those who sin against us.’ I am not to neglect my opponent. Whoever gives me a hard time, I am to treat them, despite everything, as though they are rather glorious. As though made in the image of God. Of course I cannot sort out all the implications right now if my adversary has dreadfully abused me, but that is why I must pray before I sleep.
Prayer
God of all mercy and lovingkindness, who takes no delight in the death of a sinner, who is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,[1] I cannot always be like you. If I cannot love my accuser or if someone is a real problem to me, you know it. If I cannot bring myself to forgive, you know it. If I cannot trust someone who has abused me, and I am fearful of them, you know all about this. You are the God who has reconciled a rebellious world to yourself in Christ. Let me live within your sacrificial peace and grow into your forgiveness. Keep me safe within that. Keep me in your heart.
[1] Jonah 4:2