Regarding Confession of past sins and Restitution

[Ike]

Dear Victor and Paul,

Thanks again for rebuking me so very sharply concerning the filthiness and errors of ways last Saturday - it was very necessary for my soul's salvation. I believe that through that judgment-day experience, the Lord has now placed me on the path of righteousness for His name's sake. It is now my turn to “make my calling and election sure” as well as “workout my salvation with fear and trembling” by making the right choices every time. Please pardon me in advance for taking your precious time in describing the issues below.

I went to two places yesterday to make past misdeeds good. I also phoned the Manager of a previous employer and confessed past wrongs and he said he had forgiven me for the issues I raised and would gladly employ me in the future. I thanked him for his kindness.

I phoned another past employer and informed them that I had removed about 12 (twelve) Gigabytes worth of confidential information from their networked computers in June/July 2014. The manager was said to be unavailable and would call me back to discuss the matter sometime next week as she would be on holiday on Friday 23 September and Monday 26 September.

The first place I went to was a previous workplace where I had breached trust on fundamental issues. I was working in a residential institution for 5-18 year olds with mental disabilities between Dec 2005 and Dec 2007 as well as from March 2009 to October 2012. The issues concerned are:
1. I often physically abused (by means of corporal punishment) some of the young male children when they failed to behave the way I wanted. Corporal punishment of any sort was strictly forbidden at the time I was employed there and still is. The penalty for this offence would have been summary dismissal.
2. I stole and ate their food/drinks/snacks as often as I pleased.
3. I frequently washed and dried my clothes in their laundry rooms without permission from those in authority. I believe such permission would have denied if I had even sought it.
4. I often slept on duty when I worked a Waking night staff from September 2009 to October 2012.
5. Throughout the time I worked at this place, I illegally printed off various study material perhaps 8 to 10 reams of A4 paper. Most of what I printed ended up being thrown away without being read. Whatever I read has been of little or no use to me as I either failed to complete the courses I was studying or did not secure the desired job/jobs afterwards.
When I went to this workplace yesterday, I couldn't see any of their managers because they were busy with an Inspection visit. So I agreed to return today at 1pm. I am concerned that I might be asked whether anyone else was involved in any of the above issues. All of the issues mentioned above involved third parties in one form or another. I feel that I should not incriminate other people who may not have repented of their sins and may actually deny if asked about these things. What do you think?

I also went to see a lecturer at my place of study and informed him that I had copied off some confidential information from his computer when he had apparently forgotten to log off from it last March/April. He said he himself was a Christian and promptly forgave me for this act of theft.

My wife applied for an IT job on my behalf while I was at the Farm. I have been invited to an interview for that job on the Friday 30 September. I am currently studying for an MSc in IT at a university in Aberdeen. The job I will be interviewing for is a full time position of about 37 hours/week. My course (which I will be resuming on Wednesday 9 September) is also full time. I am in a quandary as to whether to accept the job (if I am successful) or to continue with my studies (which formally ends in May 2017). I am leaning towards taking up the job (if I am successful) so that I can continue to pay off all of the restitution that I owe to others while also clearing as many debts as I can. That would mean I would have to withdraw from the course altogether (or at least suspend it). However, on the flip side, I am a bit dubious about withdrawal/suspension because I have withdrawn from similar commitments 4 times between 2005 and 2015. What do you think?

By God's grace, I will start a three-day fast tomorrow during which I intend to ask the Lord to show me what He wants me to do for Him (when Saul - of Tarsus - first met with the Lord, his response was “Lord, what will you have me to do?” - Acts 9:6). Also, I remember Dan said this to me on Saturday during the Sabbath meeting. I am thinking of locking myself away in my room so as to minimize distractions. I also think I may not be able to participate in this Saturday's Sabbath meeting as a result. What do you think?

I look forward to hearing your wise counsel concerning these issues. Thanks in advance for your help and God bless everybody at the pathoftruth.

From Ike

[Tony Polanco]

Hi everyone. Here’s an email I sent to Victor, in which he suggested i post it on the forum , where he would respond:

Hi Victor!

May the Lord continue to bless you and those with you.
I have a question, it may sound a little weird but here it goes : when I was about 14-16yrs old I lied to a friend I had while I was living in the Dominican Republic, i told him I had a fight with a couple guys and won, I avoided telling him the truth which was I had sexual relations with a girl and she had gave me a whole bunch of disgusting nasty hickies.

Today I don’t see him and hardly ever speak to him, he lives in Boston and has been a heroin addict for quiet a few years now, I know where to contact him and speak to him if i had too; should I confess to him that I lied to him because I was (and still know that I am) to filled with pride to admit the truth ?

Thank you,

Tony

[Victor Hafichuk]

The confession isn't necessary for the fellow you think of confessing to but it is necessary for you, for conscience' sake and to deal with your pride. Don't sugar-coat it; be open and honest.

As to how it affects him, that's another story. The Lord will take care of that.