Two days ago, I stumbled upon an interesting scripture, that I found myself meditating on for some time. It is part of a passage found in 2 Corinthians 7:11 (NIV), entitled The Letter of Sadness, and reads as follows: “For see what this very thing, this sadness as God intended, has produced in you: what eagerness, what defense of yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what deep concern, what punishment! In everything you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.”
This verse carries the powerful strength and earmarks of genuine repentence, (based on the conviction of God and His work within you), within its’ contents: the eagerness to do the right thing; the conviction that brings one to a place of apology; the offence and anger towards sin and the action of committing coupled with the fear of God; the authentic desire to repent/apologize; the necessity to make things right and proper; the desire to see the correct form of punishment, correction, and the fruit of that repentence manifested, as a result of.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary says an apology “usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances” A tad wordy perhaps, but I think you get the point.
The verse above contains not only the keys to repentence, but also to an apology.
In the natural, when you take a gander at basic “locksmithing” and “keys”, the first thing you learn is that you must have a proper “blank”, (or a clean surface, if you will), to work with. And such a key opens a door to other things beyond it.
The three critical dimensions of a “blank” are thickness, wherein lies the strength of the key, (or in this case, the apology), the “length”, (the effective outcome of the apology), and last, but not least, the “height”, (by looking towards Him, hitting the correct marks, and changing one’s perspective, forgiveness can come and many doors opened for future access).
A key or an apology of course, comes with many parts.
First, there is the recognition of the sin or offence. Consider it to be the blank key that is ready to be prepared for cutting. It will be inserted into the keyhole, or passage way where it will be at its most effective. Unless used, it is of no actual benefit and is simply something that you just carry around with you.
The “bow” of a key is the part you hold to apply it. Just as applying an apology brings turns the beginnings of restoration and forgiveness to a situation. No doubt, you find your fingers touching the “throat”, or long part of the key. Think of “grabbing it (the situation) by the throat” and how effective is to be snatching that purposed apology and inserting it where, and when, it needs to be done for greater access to the rooms and opportunities in the Kingdom.
Now, all that is needed is to insert the key itself into the proper opening, where it can do what it is made to do. Insert the apology into the proper passageway, timing, or opening… and it becomes the turning point for opening a door to restoration.
The smallest but most necessary part of a key is its’ “stop”. It is the furthest point that key can go. It meets the end of its’ journey, and is the final connect that is required before the tumblers in the lock can be aligned and moved.The “stop” of an apology is the verbal expression of genuine repentance. Where the “stop” aids, is in aligning the “gate cuts and notches” with the tumbler system – and is in actuality the point at which you line up the verbally apology, defuse the effects of the anger, offense and hurt feelings, and pray it is heard by the recipient!
When the key makes its’ final turn, it unlocks and opens a door that enables you to step into a new environment. Likewise, an apology is acknowledged, received, and again hopefully, forgiven on the other end – thus opening the door, to a new environment and place of restoration. The release of what has been all locked up is now a place of entry, exiting, and freedom.
What happens if the key doesn’t work? You start over, or re-cut it, if necessary, and try again until you get one that works. After all, who wants to be stuck on the outside?
Daily we ask for the revelation of those sinful areas of our life, knowing He has given us the keys to unlock the doors, and move into the place of freedom. For Christians, forgiveness, as we know is always a choice.
So grab your keys and unlock the things that have been holding you back. Open the door to freedom and forgiveness! There is so much to see and do on the other side!
Apology is key!