I Dedicate This To My Husband:
Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the first day of our Lenten Season, a period of 40-days leading up to the resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. It is a period of fasting — giving up something, such as something excessive, extravagant, unhealthy, sinful, etc., a period of true repentance from sin and trespassing against others, getting into alignment with Christ’s purpose in coming to man… which was reconciling us back unto The Father so that we would not die in our sin but have eternal life through Jesus Christ’s blood sacrifice. This is the period when we seek forgiveness from those whom we have hurt, sinned against, bore false witness, and trespassed against.
Lent is a Holy period of fasting, praying, and reconciling.
For Christians, we show obedience to God and reverence for Jesus’ blood sacrifice by sincerely doing all three to the Glory of God!
One should NEVER participate in Holy Communion if they have trespassed or sinned against their brother or sister. They are first to repent to God, then they are to go to the one(s) they have sinned against, ask for forgiveness and seek reconciliation before participating in Communion — this we must do, not only during the Lenten season but throughout the course of our lives! You cannot serve God with a clean heart or hands having trespassed against your brothers or sisters. Trespassed means sinned against.
Matthew 18:15-17 says, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.” In the King James version of the Bible the word Trespass is used where the English Standard version uses sins. The word “trespass” means “to err, to sin”. This would be a true sin, not just a difference of opinion. It is obvious enough that the whole church would recognize it as a sin. It would also be identified as sin in Scripture through God’s instructions to us, for example not to covet that which is thy neighbor’s, or husbands not to divorce their wives, or don’t bear false witness.
If you have trespassed against another, it is far better to go to him or her, and make things right than brood over it and gender hatred toward the person (John 3:15). The word “you” makes it personal. This may be done by injuring one’s character, ungodly acts towards someone, bearing false witness, adultery, divorcing with no Biblical basis, intentional cruelty, using someone for your personal gain or benefit, shedding innocent blood or deceiving a person. Personal offenses should be taken care of privately if the offending party is willing to do so. If he/she is not willing to be reconciled, then two or three more are to be taken along as witnesses (v.16). If they still refuse to repent, then it is to be made public before the church (v. 17).
1 Timothy 5:20 says: “As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.” Romans 16:17, “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”
So as we begin this Holy period, truly examine your life, yourself, your actions, your words, your deeds and those whom you have intentionally or unintentionally hurt and make it your mission during Lenten to repent, reconcile and, if you are the person whom was trespassed against, restore that one who seek forgiveness and reconciliation from you.
Father God, during this Holy Lenten Season help us to do what is right in Your sight and in alignment with Your Word. We, as sincere and true followers of The Word, must fast, pray, repent, seek reconciliation and restoration for the trespassed we have committed against our spouses, children, parents, siblings, family, friends and communities. Let Your sacrifice for our salvation be not in vain because we have hardened our hearts and souls do doing what is right for fear of public rebuke or exposure of our sins. We seek first Your forgiveness for falling short or for intentionally going against Your Word to please man or woman even after being warned and told we were trespassing against another saved soul. Next, give us the courage to face those who we trespassed against and seek forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration. Give us no peace in our spirits until we do. Even if they reject us, we must still, make the attempt and let Your Love do the rest. For this is Scriptual, Biblical and right in Your sight! Amen 🙏🏽 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
MrsRitaOluwole 