February 8 | Bible in a Year: Leviticus 4–5; Matthew 24:29–51

God’s Arms Are Open

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins. 1 John 1:9

READ 1 John 1:5–10

I frowned at my phone and sighed. Worry wrinkled my brow. A friend and I had had a serious disagreement over an issue with our children, and I knew I needed to call her and apologise. I didn’t want to do it because our viewpoints were still in conflict, yet I knew I hadn’t been kind or humble the last time we discussed the matter.

Anticipating the phone call, I wondered, What if she doesn’t forgive me? What if she doesn’t want to continue our friendship? Just then, lyrics to a song came to mind and took me back to the moment when I confessed my sin in the situation to God. I felt relief because I knew God had forgiven me and released me from guilt.

We can’t control how people will respond to us when we try to work out relational problems. As long as we own up to our part, humbly ask for forgiveness and make any changes needed, we can let God handle the healing. Even if we have to endure the pain of unresolved ‘people problems’, peace with Him is always possible. God’s arms are open, and He is waiting to show us the grace and mercy we need. “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

By Jennifer Benson Schuldt

How does forgiveness create peace? What steps will you take in God's power towards reconciliation with someone this week?

Dear God, remind me of Your unending grace. Help me to be humble and to commit all my relationships to You.

For further study, read What Do You Do with a Broken Relationship?.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

The Greek word peripateō is used ten times in the apostle John’s three letters (1 John [5x]; 2 John [3x]; 3 John [2x]). It means “to tread all around”; “to walk”; “to conduct one’s life.” It’s often translated as “walk” or “live”: “If we claim to have fellowship with God and yet walk in the darkness” (1 John 1:6); “If we walk in the light” (v. 7). First John 2:6 succinctly describes what it means to be a believer in Jesus: “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

Paul also uses this word to describe how the believer in Christ should live: “Walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16); “Walk in the way of love” (Ephesians 5:2); “Live as children of light” (v. 8); “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him” (Colossians 2:6); “Walk in wisdom towards outsiders” ( 4:5 ESV).