Forgive And Forget
“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. “Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”
Genesis 50:15-21
Jesus 70 X 7 kind of forgiveness is something that when it is offered completely baffles the human mind. It’s almost beyond our ability to comprehend because we know we are undeserving of it. We have all been at one time or another where Joseph’s brothers are here in the story in the book of Genesis. We have wronged somebody and they have forgiven us but the relationship is still strained in a sense due to our inability to believe we are truly forgiven, because we know how our own mind works. It’s been said of America, “We are not a people who truly forgive, we simply forget.” We have a tendency to even say at times we have forgiven someone only to bring up the offense again at a later date. Joseph’s brothers are assuming that is the case here. They have this suspicion that their brother will finally be able to “get even” now that their father has died. They must be thinking Joseph was just delaying his gratification of vengeance on them all these years? Why, because that’s what they would have done. Like many people, they harbor ill in their heart and then lie in wait. Sad but true!
Joseph is a portrait of grace and how we should all respond when others treat us unfairly. It has been said that when we forgive we stop trying to play God. I like that analogy. God is the judge, the only righteous judge, who, if He gave us what we all deserve, we’d be in hell right now. But the bible says in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” When you and I forgive one another we release others from our own personal judgment. That doesn’t mean the person isn’t guilty, it just means we are not going to stand in judgment over them because that’s God’s job and besides, I know how much God has forgiven me. Our problem at times is “we judge other people by their actions, and we judge ourselves by our intentions.” Its been well said, "Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die". How soon we forget that forgiving others sets the prisoner free, and that prisoner is you and me! Yes, friend, Jesus response to Peter in Matthew 18:21-22 is best, Matthew 18:21-22, "Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Remember, loved one, those who love much have been forgiven much.
"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool."
Isaiah 1:18
I LOVE YOU!
Genesis 50:15-21
Jesus 70 X 7 kind of forgiveness is something that when it is offered completely baffles the human mind. It’s almost beyond our ability to comprehend because we know we are undeserving of it. We have all been at one time or another where Joseph’s brothers are here in the story in the book of Genesis. We have wronged somebody and they have forgiven us but the relationship is still strained in a sense due to our inability to believe we are truly forgiven, because we know how our own mind works. It’s been said of America, “We are not a people who truly forgive, we simply forget.” We have a tendency to even say at times we have forgiven someone only to bring up the offense again at a later date. Joseph’s brothers are assuming that is the case here. They have this suspicion that their brother will finally be able to “get even” now that their father has died. They must be thinking Joseph was just delaying his gratification of vengeance on them all these years? Why, because that’s what they would have done. Like many people, they harbor ill in their heart and then lie in wait. Sad but true!
Joseph is a portrait of grace and how we should all respond when others treat us unfairly. It has been said that when we forgive we stop trying to play God. I like that analogy. God is the judge, the only righteous judge, who, if He gave us what we all deserve, we’d be in hell right now. But the bible says in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” When you and I forgive one another we release others from our own personal judgment. That doesn’t mean the person isn’t guilty, it just means we are not going to stand in judgment over them because that’s God’s job and besides, I know how much God has forgiven me. Our problem at times is “we judge other people by their actions, and we judge ourselves by our intentions.” Its been well said, "Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die". How soon we forget that forgiving others sets the prisoner free, and that prisoner is you and me! Yes, friend, Jesus response to Peter in Matthew 18:21-22 is best, Matthew 18:21-22, "Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Remember, loved one, those who love much have been forgiven much.
"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool."
Isaiah 1:18
I LOVE YOU!
Recent
Archive
2019
February
Heavenly RemindersThings Are Not Always As They AppearZihuatanejoSatisfied Wanting MoreGet In The Game!Always The Nails, Never The HammerA Four Footed EnemyAll InWhat's Love Got To Do With It?Lessons From A LeperLessons From A Former LeperNo MatchYour Mess Is Your MessageLessons From Your GPS"Ooooo ooooo ohoohohoo"Jesus MarveledShe Walks In BeautyShaken or Stirred?Bring The Rain
March
I Can't Love You AnymoreThe Gift of AttentivenessWha't Outside Your Tent?I'll Carry YouIt’s Worth The PainWorship On The BrainA Door of HopeGet Busy LivingHow Knowledge Becomes Power Please Do Not DisturbNew Normal5 Minutes LongerOur Conquering KingA Matter of PerspectiveAge Old WisdomFaith Your FearsThe Best Day Of Your Life… Starts Now!Who Grace Looks LikeHow To Have Lifetime JoyTo Know You Is To Love YouMistaken Identity
April
Life After The End Of The RopeLet's Get RealWhy God Made MountainsForgive And ForgetLoving You Is EasySweetly Broken Keep The Main Thing The Main ThingKnow God Know PeaceWisdom Never Gets OldOut of the WhirlwindMonday: A Pure and Holy PassionTuesday: The Passion Of JesusThe Passion Week: WednesdayJesus Love From Head To ToeFriday: The Passion JesusThe Ta-da of HeavenWhat's The World Coming To?A Love InvasionThe Gift of YouI'm With You AlwaysHow Is Your Balance?Bring The Rain
May
In Regards To HeavenHope WinsIshteeLove Is A VerbFinishing WellYour New Favorite BookGod Has No GrandchildrenCrossing GuardsYou Were Made For MomentsLiving Like A Rock StarA Wonder Filled DayLess is MoreAll Washed UpIf Your Child Goes Astray... Pray!Like Parent Like ChildBring Back The KingWith God You ARE The MajorityJesus IS EnoughWe Will RememberYou Are Stronger Than You ThinkEscape ArtistsYou Can't Back Into Your FutureThe Worship of Tears
June
For HankGod's 'GPS'A Friend Like YouDesire Discipline DelightDesire, Discipline, DelightYou Be JesusYour WorthA Living Love StoryThe Gift of GraceThe Power of AmenA Dad For All SesonsStuck On YouJust OneI Hope You DanceIt's Your Turn To ShineGlorious Day!Ancient Social MediaA Door of HopeLiving Like JesusPlease, Don't Shoot The Messenger!
July
Flawed Instruments Glorify GodHelp Is On The WayMay You Always Remain As You Are TodayOne Nation Under GodDivine AppointmentsDon't Trip Over Your PastWho's Counting?ShineLove Is A VerbBig Shoes To FillYou Never Have To Advertise A FireLet The Walls Fall DownOne Small Step, One Giant LeapOur God Rocks!Stirred To ActionThe Power of LoveTo Know Him Is To Love HimJesus Loves Pizza
August
September
October
Broken and BeautifulIn The Hands of The PotterRecognitionExtraordinarily OrdinaryBonded By A BonfireColor EverywhereWords To Live ByThe Best of MeJust Say YesChoose HappyThe Best Weekend Ever!Three Yet OneJust KISSGame ChangerHow To Beat An Escape RoomIt's What's Inside That CountsWhen Longer Isn't Long EnoughThe Whisperer
November
The Healing Power of a HugA Work In ProgressThe Best Day of Your Life Starts... NowYou Have Beautiful EyesLord, Teach Me To PrayFive Star FaithDebt Free LivingWhen Close Isn't Close EnoughHave I Got Something Just For You!Perfect In Any LightYour Strength Is Your WeaknessIt's Only A TestYou're Living An Adventure
Slow The PaceThe Art of AppreciationLasting MemoriesBlack Friday Saved My Life
Categories
no categories