STEP NINE
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible except when to do so would injure them or others.
[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic]1 John 3:18-19 (N.I.V.)
[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic]Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with[/FONT]
[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic]actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence[/FONT]
[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic]whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.[/FONT]
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Activating step nine in our lives will change how we respond to other people, situations, and even to our own shortcomings. Our attitude and behavior will quickly become positive and healthy. In the above verses it is agape love which is stressed and it is always expressed first in deeds. It also provides reassuring evidence that we are of God. Doubt and guilt are never far from any of us. Sometimes our misgivings are the result of our own actions or inaction and sometimes it is the accuser (the devil) who seizes our weaknesses and shortcomings. These are then elevated to a point where we might wonder whether we are really in the truth at all. What can we do? We can remember that God understands everything! His word and his truth are greater than our feelings or our conscience. We must rest ourselves in his love for us and live in that love and by that love. We will not excuse ourselves of any sin and we will not needlessly accuse ourselves. When those around us see these positive changes rather then hear about them they are generally much more forgiving with regards to our past behavior.
