From Romans 5:8 we learn that God made a plan to deal with our sin, since we are not capable of paying His penalty for it. In doing so, He declared His amazing, unending love for us!
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Since Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, those who accept His sacrifice have God’s complete forgiveness. This is amazing! We should be grateful for God’s mercy and grace that make His forgiveness possible.
Though God forgives our sin, we still sin. He knew we would continue to sin. But God expects His people to confess our sin as soon as we recognize it.
There is a line of thinking that it is acceptable to do something and ask forgiveness rather than asking permission before taking an action. This is a lie. This thinking recognizes the action is wrong but forgiveness will be given. It cheapens forgiveness.
Forgiveness was costly to God. We should do nothing to cheapen it, because that would indicate we really don’t have a true understanding of God’s love. God’s love far surpasses what we can fully understand. But God gives us partial insight into the depth of His love as we spend time reading the Bible. As finite people we cannot fully grasp the love of our infinite God. We can understand enough to radically change our lives.
The relationship that comes from our Creator through Jesus, our Deliverer, is an undeserved gift. But God wants us to know Him. He wants us to have intimate fellowship with Him.
Unconfessed sin for a follower of Jesus interferes with that relationship.
But God doesn’t stop having a relationship with us because of our sin. However, God will do what is necessary to correct us so that we can have uninterrupted fellowship with Him.
Hebrews explains that He will discipline us for our sin, because He loves us, and because He wants us to make better choices:
Hebrews 12:4-6 states: “In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
Many Christ followers simply don’t have a depth of understanding of how grievous sin is to God. Additionally, they often think that their own sin is not as bad as someone else’s. The result of that thinking can cause some believers to cut other believers out of their lives because they view the person’s sin as horrible, and are not willing to talk through their differences, lovingly.
But God doesn’t look at us that way. To Him all of our sins are horrible and grievous.
We need to help each other address our sin so that we can all walk humbly with our God.
Then we are able to represent him well. We are able to be kingdom builders, making the message of the gospel, the message of forgiveness and restoration, real to a world that often demolishes relationships.
Working to heal relationships shows we understand the grace and mercy God has extended to us.
Working to heal relationships is counter to the world’s ways because Satan wants to divide.
Working to heal relationships is evidence of a mature relationship with Jesus.
Working to heal relationships is what we are commanded to do in the Bible.
Working to heal relationships is work. It requires self-denial and holding our emotions in check.
Working to heal relationships with people builds our fellowship with God.
Refusing to work to heal relationships grieves God’s Spirit.
Since Christ gave His life for us, there is no room for believers to not forgive others for their sins. The only reason relationships cannot be healed when both parties are true Christ-followers is because of selfishness.
Jesus brought healing because He was not selfish. God’s people must follow His example.
Since Jesus brought healing in our relationship with God [for those who humbly accept Him as Lord and Savior], who do we think we are to not forgive someone who sins against us? Consider Matthew 6:14-15: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Consider these thoughts if you have a relationship that needs to be healed:
- Are you a true follower of Christ? If so, what will you do to attempt reconciliation with someone? If not, why not give yourself over to the One who loves you so much that He gave His life for you?
- Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:18: “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;”
- Hebrews 12:14: “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
There are many more Scriptures you can search and study to know God’s heart on reconciliation. This is not a minor matter to God, and should not be a minor matter to us. Why not do your part to work toward restoration in a relationship?
I understand broken relationships. If I can help you to restore a relationship, please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com.
Living for Jesus, Donna
P.S. If this has helped you, please share it with others!
Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.
Copyright 2026 Donna Shappy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.
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