Ephesians 4:22-28, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
First, we have all done shameful things. All humanity are sinners. Romans 3:23-24, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:" Please carefully notice Verse 24. The Christian believer is "FREELY JUSTIFIED." Acts 13:39 says the believer is "JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS." So you need to separate the justification which God gives every believer on the sole basis of what Christ did on the cross to pay for your sins, from the damage you've done by hurting people. One thing has nothing to do with the other. I'm speaking of salvation, which is justification by faith alone.
Now, secondly, if you can make restitution to the people you've hurt, you should. If you've stolen, you should repay all of it. At a minimum you should speak to the person you've hurt and try to come to some sort of an agreement, if you have cost them money. The only way that you'll ever clear your conscience is to honestly confront the people who you've hurt, and tell them you are sorry, and attempt to make restitution and reconciliation. Whether they accept your apology is irrelevant, because at least you have done all you can do to make peace with them. It doesn't necessarily have to be in person, you could send them a letter. Telling people we are sorry is the hardest thing to do, but it brings a sweet peace with God that nothing else can bring.
There is no feeling as joyous as being right with God and man. Biblically, we cannot be right with God and wrong with man. Certainly we can be saved, which is our POSITION in Christ as God's child. But our CONDITION in Christ is determined by how we treat others, and our obedience to the Word of God. Trust and obey for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey. We've been singing that song at church. What a great truth!
If you are saved (born again) that is settled. Now you need to do all that you can, one by one, to make things right with others. They may not forgive you, but that is okay. You're making peace with God and yourself. If they won't forgive you, then that is on them. Just tell people the truth, that you have since found Jesus Christ and your life has been transformed. Tell them you are so very sorry, and if you can make it up to them, do so. But if not, then at least you've done all you can. That is the only way that you'll ever have peace.
Now if there is nothing you can do to make peace with those you've hurt, then you need to forgive yourself. Perhaps you don't remember who they are. Perhaps some have died. Perhaps you don't know where they live anymore. In such cases all you can do is put the matter into the Lord's hands, and trust Him that one day He will make everything eight in eternity. I don't think there is a human being alive who could ever make things right with everybody they ever hurt. But we should at least try, if we can. It may take a long time, but just start with one person at a time.
Pardon the carnal illustration, but one of my favorite movies is "A Christmas Carol," about Ebenezer Scrooge. Charles Dickens wrote the novel, which is a picture of salvation. Ebenezer was a changed man, and he set out to make things right with everyone he had hurt. Ebenezer found joy, peace and happiness. He discovered the joy of giving. I don't know about you friend, but I want to be just like Ebenezer when he changed for the good.
Then, if I were you, I would determine in my heart to spend the rest of my life doing all the good I can, wherever I can, to whomsoever I can, in any way I can, to help others in Jesus' name. What a way to live and find happiness!
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