Some of my file drawers are packed solid with things that matter and many things that do not. The time to clear them out always seems to be scheduled for another day. The delay suffocates the file drawer itself. Rumbling through all these files just causes confusion.

Consider for example the files we keep of other’s wrong-doings. Assigning ourselves as ‘arm-chair attorneys,’ we build a case, keep it in the file, and have it handy for quick reference.

Reconciliation is the restoring of friendly relations. These healthy relations are compatible because of true forgiveness and restitution. Forgiveness purges the file of its recorded offenses and returns the file to the memory drawer with a new label entitled mercy.

Jesus told His disciples that reconciliation was more important than religious practices. He Himself related in a spirit of meekness ~ displaying strength under control. When He forgives us, we’re no longer accountable to Him for what’s been forgiven. It’s washed in His blood; then enmity between us and our Lord is absolved. No more guilt; no more shame; no more responsibility.

Sometimes all we need to do is to show mercy and to remove a few sticky notes from a certain file. Other times we’re to completely rid ourselves of the file altogether–never to visit the problem again. In any case, our files are to reflect the Spirit of Christ:

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” [Psalm 103:8-12 NIV]