«Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold’ » (Luke 19:8).
The candidate for governor had campaigned fantastically. His proposals reflected the needs of the people, and he had the support and confidence of the voters. The polls showed that he would certainly win. However, a week before the vote, a journalist published a defamatory article in one of the nation’s most important newspapers. Although it was a great collection of lies, without any real evidence, the people believed it. The campaign had been damaged without any possibility of repair! By chance, a few days later, the candidate and the journalist met in the bathroom of a candy store near Congress. Embarrassed by his lack of honesty, the journalist apologized, «I’m sorry. Publishing that article was a mistake.» The candidate for governor then replied, «Thank you for your apology, but next time, criticize me in the bathroom and apologize in the papers.»
If we are truly sorry, we will do our best to repair the damage caused in a proportional manner. When John the Baptist preached about repentance, he told listeners that they should «bear fruits worthy of repentance» (Matthew 3:8). Repentance produces tangible fruits. When Zacchaeus discovered the beauty of Christ’s character, his repentance went beyond the minimum and indispensable: «Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold» (Luke 19:8). If we are sorry, we will do our best to repair the damage.
It’s not enough to say, «I’m sorry.» If we break a vase, let’s buy another one. If we put someone’s reputation at stake, let’s repair the damage. Let’s go back to the person we were talking to and say, «When I told you that about so and so, I exaggerated and was not completely honest. I realize that I damaged his/her image to you, and I apologize.» Ironically, among Christians we often do not offer to repair the damage. It seems to us that the other person should simply forgive us all our debts without expecting anything in return. However, this is not the biblical model! True repentance bears fruit.
Dear Lord, when You show me how my actions hurt someone else, please help me repent and ask for forgiveness.
humility, and honesty I need to repair the damage caused. Amen.
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate.
