Reckonings and Reconciliation
Chris Seidman
Part of Second Nature
February 20, 2025

Second Nature

Reckonings and Reconciliation
February 23, 2025
Chris Seidman, Teaching Minister, The Branch

The Sixth Principle
Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others.

Hebrews 12:14-16 (NIV)
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone … . See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Job 5:2 (NIV)
Resentment kills a fool … .

Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Check out the ‘Cancel Culture’ message (10/27/24) from the “It’s Like This” series.

Reminders when it comes to forgiveness …

  • Forgiveness is a gift and not a wage.

  • Forgiveness is a choice more than a feeling.

Micah 7:18-19 (NLT)
Who is another God like you … . You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean.

  • Forgiveness is supernatural.

Luke 23:34 (NIV)
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Acts 7:54-55, 59-60 (NIV)
When [they] heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God … . While they were stoning him … he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

The Sixth Principle
Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others.

Proverbs 14:9 (NIV)
Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.

Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Romans 12:18 (NIV)
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18 (NIV)
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Suggestions for making amends …

  • Prayerfully take inventory of who you’ve wronged.

Questions for reflection
-Is there anybody that I’ve failed to treat as I would like to
have been treated?
-Is there anyone I’ve broken a promise to?
-Is there anyone I’ve been dishonest with or tried to manipulate?
-Is there anyone I’ve lied to?
-Is it a parent, a spouse, a child, an employer, an employee, a friend?

  • Consider how you would like a person to make amends if you were the one that had been wronged in that way.

Luke 6:31 (NLT)
Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

  • Prayerfully consider the time and way of making amends.

Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 (NIV)
Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble.

The Sixth Principle
… except when to do so would harm them or others.

  • Prayerfully consider your words.

Proverbs 12:18 (GNT)
Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.

  • Consider if a form of restitution is possible.

Communion - The Sixth Principle
Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others.