It should pierce our hearts with much grief when we consider the weight of our past sins, as its cost impacts all those around us as well. But recognizing this and seeking to make amends doesn’t mean we must live forever in the proverbial doghouse. Through the work of Christ we have been forgiven. And now is the time to live unapologetically in the redemption he has given us.
On the one hand, our very need for redemption should keep us humble. We’re acknowledging our past ignorance, shortcomings, weaknesses, and the like. There is no longer room to boast as if we could succeed in life in our own strength.
And the grace God gives us spurs us on to also make things right with those we’ve harmed. Our sins, even our secret sins, do not happen in isolation. And it’s our duty to seek forgiveness and foster healing in our strained relationships wherever we can – considering the interests of others and not just ourselves.
At the same time, our humility does not require us to become enslaved to the opinions of others. Perhaps due to their own hurt and pain they struggle to practice forgiveness toward us, and, in this way, they keep holding our past against us. But it’s a false humility that accepts this condemnation.
Christ has forgiven us and we can live boldly in the freedom he gives. We learn from our past, but we no longer let it define us or otherwise hold us back. And we don’t have to walk around on eggshells just because our freedom makes others uncomfortable.
We’re participating in God’s work of redemption. This is not pride. And we grieve the Spirit when we allow our shame or the opinions of others to diminish our light. Redemption needs no apology.
In the end, humbly make amends for your past sins without shortchanging your story of redemption. Christ is redeeming you for great things, and there’s no need to apologize for this.
Photo by Omar López
