Step 5. Restoration.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall receive mercy.

Matt. 5:7

Short Version

We came to find true and lasting happiness by taking this fifth step:

Having accepted God’s undeserved love, he then gave me the courage to show mercy to all the people I had harmed^A and to all who had harmed me^B, and to those in genuine need^C. As I did so, God showed me the power of his mercy to change my life^D and the lives of others^E.

^A Ex 22:5-6, Lk. 19:8, Prov. 28:13, Mat. 5:23-24.   ^B Mat. 6:12, Lk. 6:37, 7:40-48.   ^C Gal 2:10, Heb 13:16. ^D 1Tim. 1:13-16.   ^E Is. 58:6-12.

Longer Version

We came to find true and lasting happiness by taking this fifth step:

Having accepted God’s undeserved love, he then gave me the courage to make a list of all the people I had harmed, and his Spirit made me willing to make amends to them all^A. By his strength, I made direct amends to them wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. God also leads me to remember those who have hurt me and to forgive them, just as I have been forgiven so much^B. Since the gospel reminds me of my own poverty, vices and need, God leads me to show practical mercy to those trapped in poverty, vice and need^C. Day by day I will continue to examine my life and relationships in the light of the law of Christ^D and when I hurt others, I will promptly admit it to God^E and to the person I offended and ask for forgiveness^F. As I show mercy in all these ways, so God promises to show me the power of his mercy as he brings restoration, hope and change to me^G, to the people I hurt and to those in need.

^A Ex 22:5-6, Lk. 19:8, Prov. 28:13, Mat. 5:23-24. ^B Mat. 6:12, Lk. 6:37, 7:40-48. ^C Gal 2:10, Heb 13:16, Mat. 9:11-13.   ^D Ps 1:2. Ps. 119. Rom 7:22.   ^E 1Jn. 1:9.   ^F Jam. 5:15.   ^G 1Tim. 1:13-16.    ^H Is. 58:6-12.