The believer understands that she has been forgiven at great personal cost to God. Therefore, forgiveness is a non-negotiable. However, to restore intimacy and health to any relationship, there must be trust. That actually is harder to come by.
First, trust requires repeated faithful action. I tell my kids that trust is like a bank account and it is better to make deposits than withdrawals. God is trustworthy because he has an eternity of faithful repeated action.
Repentance is tested over time. I only know you have repented by the fruit. Fruit takes time to develop and ripen.
Second, trust cannot be demanded only earned. If you want me to trust you, don't tell me to trust you, show me.
Third, trust can only exist in an atmosphere of the truth. Trust is developed in a context where the truth is always communicated and lived.
Fourth, to foster the truth, the offended must handle the offender in a trustworthy way. If you tell me the truth, then I must handle you and those facts in a way that continues to open the path of trust.
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