Here are some suggestions on how to apologize to someone we have hurt: Decide in advance what to say and how to say it; meet them face to face; as you offer your apology don’t justify yourself—keep it simple and to the point without rambling; give the other person time to respond; then back your words with action. I am thankful God left His children a way to restore our broken relationships with Him—found in 2 Chronicles 7: God left these instructions in his response to King Solomon’s prayer. The king had pleaded with God to listen to the prayer of his people when they prayed toward the Temple. In God’s reply, He said, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their land.” So today, when we find ourselves out of fellowship with God and experiencing the consequences of our disobedience to Him, we should do as God told King Solomon: humbly admit our failure, repent of what we have done, and take steps to repair the damage we caused—as Zaccheus did when he repented. God will hear and forgive because Jesus Christ paid for our sins when He died upon the cross many years ago.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
