As GodBlessAmerica58 said: "Can't change the past, but you can continue to change the future!"
I have made tremendous messes myself from not obeying God at times. We have all done it, whether we see it or not, but we have to decide to trust that Jesus' blood is enough to wash our sins and failures away. The fact that you still have the consciousness of your sin in this particular matter means you are making yourself responsible for the man's soul, and no one but Jesus can take that on a burden like that. Do not hold onto the guilt. Release it to Him or you will be motivated by that instead of by His word, His leading, and His love, which means you will not be doing God's will because it will be the guilt that drives you. It's subtle, but believe me, it is a tactic of the enemy to knock us out of the blessing of God. Overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and let your testimony be that you are accepted in Him. Turn what was meant to destroy you into a learning experience, and nothing more.
Here is a quote from one of my books, in which a character makes the decision to move on from what he counted as failure to rescue a friend:
"It was really a decision he had already made before, but he had to make it again, realizing that his feelings of guilt would pin him to the day Tangray died. There would never again be a different day if he let that happen, so he let it go."
I understand feelings of condemnation. The devil once held me down with my failures until I realized that condemning myself was a scam. I kicked him away in the name of Jesus and never leaned into that again. You are not condemned in Christ. If your heart condemns you, bring it to God, and He will renew it so you can live in absolute freedom to do the will of God. The choice is always yours to lay hold on what God has already provided.
If I am being too bold, please forgive me. It just makes more sense to me to be plain and direct, and I can see what you need to do.
Wow. I'm so sorry. I can imagine how shocking this was. The devil finds his way into cracks. Its only your responsibility to see to your own cracks. Others must do the same. He had a crack and they exploited it because it made him happy to do it. Who and why? Demons, I'd say. I was an agnostic until 6 years ago and now I thoroughly believe that there are demons loose and attacking people.
Lord Jesus,
Please lift up this person and bring them encouragement and hope. Show them that this other person can still he reached even though they have lost their way. Some fall harder and farther than others but it is our job to try to bring them back or their blood is on our hands and if we try amd they refuse to listen, it is on us.
Ezekiel 3:9 But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.
Matthew 18:15 Restoring a Brother
15 “If your brother sins against you,[a] go and rebuke him in private.[b] If he listens to you, you have won your brother.
Can't change the past, but you can continue to change the future! God bless and God Speed!
As GodBlessAmerica58 said: "Can't change the past, but you can continue to change the future!"
I have made tremendous messes myself from not obeying God at times. We have all done it, whether we see it or not, but we have to decide to trust that Jesus' blood is enough to wash our sins and failures away. The fact that you still have the consciousness of your sin in this particular matter means you are making yourself responsible for the man's soul, and no one but Jesus can take that on a burden like that. Do not hold onto the guilt. Release it to Him or you will be motivated by that instead of by His word, His leading, and His love, which means you will not be doing God's will because it will be the guilt that drives you. It's subtle, but believe me, it is a tactic of the enemy to knock us out of the blessing of God. Overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and let your testimony be that you are accepted in Him. Turn what was meant to destroy you into a learning experience, and nothing more.
Here is a quote from one of my books, in which a character makes the decision to move on from what he counted as failure to rescue a friend:
"It was really a decision he had already made before, but he had to make it again, realizing that his feelings of guilt would pin him to the day Tangray died. There would never again be a different day if he let that happen, so he let it go."
I understand feelings of condemnation. The devil once held me down with my failures until I realized that condemning myself was a scam. I kicked him away in the name of Jesus and never leaned into that again. You are not condemned in Christ. If your heart condemns you, bring it to God, and He will renew it so you can live in absolute freedom to do the will of God. The choice is always yours to lay hold on what God has already provided.
If I am being too bold, please forgive me. It just makes more sense to me to be plain and direct, and I can see what you need to do.
God bless you.
Wow. I'm so sorry. I can imagine how shocking this was. The devil finds his way into cracks. Its only your responsibility to see to your own cracks. Others must do the same. He had a crack and they exploited it because it made him happy to do it. Who and why? Demons, I'd say. I was an agnostic until 6 years ago and now I thoroughly believe that there are demons loose and attacking people.
Lord Jesus, Please lift up this person and bring them encouragement and hope. Show them that this other person can still he reached even though they have lost their way. Some fall harder and farther than others but it is our job to try to bring them back or their blood is on our hands and if we try amd they refuse to listen, it is on us.
Ezekiel 3:9 But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.
Matthew 18:15 Restoring a Brother
15 “If your brother sins against you,[a] go and rebuke him in private.[b] If he listens to you, you have won your brother.