BY BRITNEY JENINE
There comes a time when we must evaluate our lives and the decisions we made or are making. We need to “Make it Right”, every wrong choice, mistake, or sin needs to be dealt with. We need to let go of things that are holding us down and stopping us from reaching our full potential in Christ. There are three aspects in our lives which we need to make right with:
Firstly, we need to Make Right with God. Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
What does it mean to make right with God? Is it just saying a sinners prayer when the alter call is announced? No. Although that is a first step, but it doesn’t mean you have completely made right with God. You just opened the door to let Him in. If you just said “I believe in Jesus and want to give my heart to Him” but did not believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and that your sins were forgiven in that moment, then you are not saved. When you give your heart to God, your entire being, mind, heart and spirit needs to be committing. Not just your mind and not just your heart. The moment you give your life to God, you are saying “alright God, I am sorry for the sins I have committed. Can you please forgive me? I want to change. I want to have a relationship with you. I want to get to know you.” This is what happens when you first turn to God. It’s the beginning of a wonderful process of change and relationship of love. After you commit to God and accept His forgiveness through the Blood of Jesus, you begin to make it right with God. You will notice a change in your lifestyle and behavior as the Holy Spirit begins to work in you. Wrong things you used to once find entertaining and habits you used to once love will slowly begin to leave you. The more you get to know God and abide in His presence, the less of the world you will want to associate with. You would begin to feel endless joy and in your troubled times, your faith in God will pull you through. To make right with God is to accept His forgiveness and walk away from sin. It is to be committed to Him with everything you are and everything you have. You will surely see His hand in your life and the work of the Holy Spirit through you.
Secondly, we need to Make Right with ourselves. How many of us live with regret? I think one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome is moving pass regret and being able to forgive yourself for mistakes committed. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Good news is, if we are in Christ, we get a fresh start. He gives us a new beginning. He removes all those regrets and mistakes and makes us right. All we need to do is accept it and believe in His Word. If God can forgive us and give us a fresh start, can’t we just let go and live a new life in Christ?
Lastly, Make right with others. Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 18:21-22 “Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Holding grudges and unforgiveness steals our peace and joy. It makes us bitter and it could lead to depression. It halts us from reaching our God-ordained purpose and receiving the blessings God has prepared for us. We ought to forgive, yes it isn’t easy but the moment we let go of all hatred and bitterness then only can we feel at peace. If God forgives us then why can’t we forgive others? Even if you have to say “I forgive you” every single day until you let go – it is better than having unforgiveness rooting in your heart. Besides forgiving others, we also must ask for forgiveness from those we have wronged. No, it doesn’t make us small to ask for forgiveness, but it does release the pain and regret within us.
Make Right with God, yourself and others and you will see the Holy Spirit transform you into a God-fearing believer in Christ.