Will You Forgive Me?

This is important in attempting to restore your relationships. There is no rule that the other person has to forgive you. Often they will, and sometimes, they won’t. That’s their decision.

These steps are important in a heartfelt apology. They are powerful because they are biblical.

1-“I’m sorry for” means you are confessing, or agreeing with the other person, that you did something wrong. Apologizing to another person needs to be just as specific.

2-“This is wrong because” reveals that you understand why it’s a problem. David prayed for that kind of self-awareness in (Ps. 139:23-24.)

3-“In the future, I will” is a commitment to repent and choose a better, more righteous behavior. Zacchaeus gave an example of this in (Luke 19:8.)

4-“Will you forgive me?” is a humbling, difficult question to ask. Putting ourselves in the asking risks exposure and shame, especially if the other person, may say, “No!” Forgiveness is very important to Jesus. “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Matt. 6:14-15)

Apologizing the right way is the most powerful way to restore a strained or broken relationship. God created us for relationships and for community!