The Bible shows that the first and great commandment is to love God, the second one is to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). Reconciliation to God goes hand in hand with reconciliation to other human beings (Matthew 6:15).

Yet sometimes we bless God while simultaneously cursing men and women who are made in His image and likeness (James 3:9-10). We can't seem to let go of regrettable past occurrences involving others.

Only God through Jesus Christ can help us fully divest ourselves of past misfortunes. God's intervention in our lives is the only path to the true reconciliation with our fellow man that is so essential for our emotional and mental health. But our fellowship with each other has to be firmly based on a right relationship with God and Christ (see 1 John 1:3-7).

Paul wrote, "Through Him [Jesus Christ] we . . . have access by one Spirit to the Father" (Ephesians 2:18). God's Holy Spirit helps heal serious breaches between human beings. It is the Spirit of reassurance and reconciliation. It is the Spirit of tolerance and cooperation. It is the Spirit of mutual acceptance. It is the Spirit of love—of always sincerely wanting the best for others.

Source: Reconciliation: The True Path to Healing and Salvation

Web Articles of Interest

The Power of Forgiveness Forgiveness is giving up the emotional need to punish someone who has mistreated you.

Forgive,and You Shall Be Forgiven How can we remove the pain, hurt and guilt of broken relationships? How can we put forgiveness into practice?

Forgiving Your Parents "Impossible!" you say? Even though it's often hard to do, it can be done, and it's well worth the effort. Here's how.

God's Forgiveness: What Does He Require From You? Our loving Creator promises complete forgiveness of our sins once we sincerely turn from and forsake them. How do genuine repentance and God's compassionate forgiveness work together to assure our salvation?

Weekly Commentary

Iran and the "Worst Form of Government" Democracy—"the worst form of government except all the other forms." Do you know what that means?

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UCG.org Web site Updates

June 25, 2009 Listen to the audio/video sermon titled "To the Ends of the Earth" by Jeff Caudle.

June 25, 2009 Read the new sermon transcript titled "Conditions for Answered Prayer"

June 23, 2009 The July 2009 issue of the United News is now available.

June 23, 2009 Bible FAQ: Will the Jews build a temple in Jerusalem before Jesus Christ returns?

June 23, 2009 Bible FAQ: What does the Bible teach about a place of safety for the Church during the coming Great Tribulation?

June 22, 2009 Beyond Today Commentary -- The Power of Forgiveness

June 22, 2009 Good News Online Radio Program -- The Beatitudes

Good News Daily Video Commentary

June 25, 2009 - One Courageous Doctor

June 22, 2009 - Do You Still Love Me?

June 19, 2009 - Why a Family Needs a Dad!

Archived Good News Video Commentary

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