Forgiveness - 18 January

How’s that self-righteousness coming along? Are you getting closer to allowing complete forgiveness in your life – as God has completely forgiven you?

On Monday we talked about Jesus’ coming to earth to give us “righteousness of God”. How did Jesus’ death change our situation?

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:6-11 (ESV)

I love the phrase “as the right time”. It gives me peace and makes me appreciate God even more. At the right time!

What condition were we in before Jesus’ death? We were ungodly sinners, and we were God’s enemy!

How did Jesus demonstrate His love? He chose to die while we were still sinners.

When did we receive reconciliation? And is everyone reconciled with God?

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (ESV)

If you have not yet received this free gift, email me and I’ll help you – or talk to one of the pastors. We would love to help you receive eternal assurance through accepting God’s free gift!

What does reconcile mean? What does it imply?

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23  if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.  Col 1:21-23 (ESV)

What does Paul say about our condition before reconciliation? How were we reconciled with God? What do we need to continue to do to maintain our reconciled state?

Do you see a parallel between reconciliation with God and reconciliation with our friends and loved ones? How do we maintain peaceful relationships with others?

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21  For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:18-21 (ESV)

Verse 19 tells us clearly what reconciliation entails – “not counting their trespasses against them”.  That’s perfect reconciliation.

Looking at it from the perspective of our need to forgive – when you forgive, do you silently say “but I’ll never forget”? Or do you “not count their trespasses against them”? Do you forgive and forget, or do you just say you’re going to forgive? And if we don’t forgive and forget, do we truly seek reconciliation?

I’m going to think about those that I’ve offered “forgiveness” to. I think that I’ve only offered lip service to some. I plan to ask God to help me truly forgive and reconcile. The process won’t be easy because my sin nature will still affect me, but with God’s help, I can do it!

See you Friday.

Forgiveness - 16 January

Is forgiveness getting any easier for you? I’m still struggling! As I was preparing for today’s study, I started to think about personal responsibility versus becoming a victim. I wonder how much of the unforgiveness in my life stands firm because I choose to act like a victim? Yikes.

What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Romans 3:9-12 (ESV)

(The word sin means “to miss the mark, to fall short of a standard, to do or go wrong, to violate God’s law”. Righteous means “to be free of  guilt and sin; to be conformed to God’s standard, not man’s).

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 3:23 (ESV)

So what? How does this apply to forgiveness? How does falling short of God’s glory impact the way s/he hurt me? Could it be that I managed to hurt them, too????? And when did all this sin stuff start, anyway?

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— Romans 5:12 (ESV)

Sin leads to death? How does that work? Doctors today tell us that stress, which can be caused in part through unresolved anger, can lead to heart attacks and strokes. So even in the physical, unresolved issues can lead to death. But the death that Paul has written about is an even worse form of death – it’s permanent separation from the Father. Eternal punishment in hell!

God loves us so much that He provides a solution to the sin problem. However, the solution doesn’t stop us from sinning. It gives us the way to become right with a holy God.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matt 1:18-23 (ESV)

Was Jesus born a sinner? No. He is the only person who has ever been conceived “from the Holy Spirit”. Fully God, yet fully man. Why did Jesus have to be born if He’s God, and if He’s been around as long as God … from the “beginning”?

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:21 (ESV)

Jesus came, voluntarily, for my sake and for your sake.

I’m sure some of you are wondering what this all has to do with the topic of forgiveness.

Take the next day or so to think about what Jesus did for you. He came to earth – voluntarily. He came to a place and time with no air conditioning – voluntarily. And He chose to come to a lowly person, lead a sinless life, and die on the cross. He did all this for you, and He did it because it was the only way for us to “become the righteousness of God”.

Does that make you want to forgive someone who has hurt you? Or are you like me – wanting to forgive some people, but not everyone, because you still feel the need to maintain the self-righteousness of hurt? (ouch. Honesty can be painful).

See you Wednesday!

Forgiveness - 13 January

We’ve seen Joseph’s path to familial forgiveness and the way that his hurts furthered God's plan and saved Israel.. Jesus has given us an example of forgiveness – and what happens when a person is unforgiving. Let’s see what Paul has to say about this issue.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.  Eph 4:30-32 (ESV)

Wow! When I am bitter, or angry, or unforgiving, or ungodly, I grieve the Holy Spirit! Remember that the Spirit is the “comforter” that Jesus sent us to guide us and give us power. We grieve him? That saddens me. But more important, we see that we are to forgive “as God in Christ forgave”. What is the purpose of Jesus’ atoning actions if we grieve Him? If we learn nothing from His suffering? We need to forgive. We need to follow Christ’s example.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9  He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.  Psalms 103:8-13 (ESV)

This passage always convicts me. Many times, I want to “get even”, to repay someone for a wrong. But if I follow God as I claim, I need to remove others’ transgressions (forgive) and remove them as God does – as far as the east is from the west. That’s a difficult task! Some forgiveness is easy; some more difficult.

As I work through this study with you, I am beginning to understand something I’ve never seen before. As I forgive you for whatever I perceive is a wrong, I am also forgiving me for my poor attitude toward you. I wonder what changes in my attitude and behavior will do to change the attitude and behavior of those who I believe have wronged me? And I’m also realizing that I had a part in the problem that I am refusing to forgive. That’s a hard thing to come to terms with (don’t you usually feel that you’re closer to perfect than others? I know that I do!)

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13  bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.  Col 3:12-15 (ESV)

Do you show compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience? I need more of all of those gifts. I also need to remember that we are one body. My unforgiveness leads to physical problems in my physical body; it also leads to problems in the body of Christ. I need to be bound in perfect harmony with my brothers and sisters. This can only happen if I forgive.

Two more verses this week:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.  Matt 5:7 (ESV)

For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13 (ESV)

Who do you need to act mercifully toward? It will be difficult, I’m sure. But God commands it, demands it, and will help you accomplish it – if you simply ask.

I’m interested to see how this forgiveness thing is working in you. Please email me with prayer requests, comments, and praise reports! God can and will show us how to forgive. See you Monday!

Forgiveness - 11 January

Monday’s study was quite profound. I hope that it convicted you as it’s convicting me. But if you’re like me, there’s probably one person or thing that’s hard to let go of. I’ll pray about yours if you’ll pray about mine!

How many times do I need to forgive? According to Warren Wiersbe (“Matthew” in The Bible Exposition Commentary: An Exposition of the New Testament Comprising the Entire “Be” series, Vol. 1), in Jesus’ time, forgiving three times was considered “sufficient” by most Rabbis. Jesus’ answer probably stunned them!

Unforgiving Servant

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. 23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25  And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33  And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34  And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35  So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”  Matt 18:21-35 (ESV)

Seventy times seven? FOUR HUNDRED NINETY times? Who is going to keep track of that many sins? Jesus was making the point that we should forgive unendingly. What would we do if Jesus only forgave seven of our sins? We’d be in hell – because our God is holy and requires perfection. So why do I choose to send you to “hell on earth” because I choose to be unforgiving?

Looking at this parable, we see a man who has an insurmountable debt. He justly deserves imprisonment, but because of the mercy of the king, he receives forgiveness. (If the parallel is not obvious, to quote one of my favorite folk singers, we are the one with the insurmountable debt). Jesus came and took our debt on His sinless shoulders. Jesus showed mercy when we deserved eternal imprisonment in hell.

The servant is released, and what is his first reaction? To forgive others just like he’d been forgiven? No. He chose to demand payment from someone who owed him a pittance.

When his friends and fellow servants saw the misbehavior, they went to the king. The formerly forgiven servant was “unforgiven” and placed in prison to pay his debt. Jesus promises that this is the fate of those who don’t forgive. Do you want to suffer that fate? I know I don’t.

What did the king expect from his servant? Why did the king forgive the servant in the first place? How does this relate to your relationship with Christ – and your prayer life?

Who do you need to forgive to infinity? Your boss? Spouse? Co-worker? Yourself? Start praying about it. God will show you the way.

See you Friday!

Forgiveness - 9 January

Last week we learned about forgiveness through Joseph’s eyes. He had been wronged by his entire family, yet he found a way to offer them forgiveness. Have you been thinking about the people you need to forgive? I have. I’m beginning to realize that if I don’t forgive, I give a person more “space” in my life than I intend. Because I think and think and think about how I’ve “been wronged”, I keep that person in the forefront of my mind. Perhaps instead of thinking about what I don’t like about them, I should pray for them…

What study on forgiveness doesn’t include “The Lord’s Prayer”?

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11  Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

14  For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15  but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt 6:9-15 (ESV)

Ouch! If I don’t forgive, I won’t be forgiven.  It’s a command, not a suggestion. How do I get to the point where I can forgive – and forget? By God's grace and through prayer!

Today’s post is short but powerful. Think about what Jesus said. Realize how serious this forgiveness thing is. Make is your revolution to be a more forgiving person in 2012. And start working on it today!

I’ll see you Wednesday.

Forgiveness - 6 January

Simeon is being held hostage until Joseph sees Benjamin. Joseph literally holds all the cards. He’s got the food and soon he will also have the new favorite son. I wonder how many sleepless nights he had while the family convinced Jacob that the only way to get Simeon back – and get food – was to once again trust them with a favored son.

After they brought Benjamin to Joseph, Simeon was released and the family purchased grain. But Joseph hadn’t had enough revenge yet. He had a silver cup placed in Benjamin’s bag. The family was stopped on the way home, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s possession. The whole family had to turn around and face Joseph again, but this time with a theft charge hanging over their heads. Since the cup was found in Benjamin’s bag, Joseph told the brothers that Benjamin would have to remain as a slave. His brother Judah interceded and tells more of the true story. He pleads for Benjamin’s life – and for the life of his father as well. He doesn’t confess to the treachery of 22 years before, but he does show remorse (possibly because he had pledged himself for security and had his own future to think about). This confession becomes too much for Joseph…

Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. 4 So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9 Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry. 10  You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, and your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11  There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.’ 12 And now your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 13 You must tell my father of all my honor in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” 14 Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him. Gen 45:1-15 (ESV)

Joseph reveals himself to his family, and they are …dismayed! Afraid because of the revenge Joseph could dish out? Sorry that they missed out on time with their brother? Regardless of the reason for the family’s tears, it’s clear that Joseph has had enough of the tension caused by bitterness. He weeps so loudly that they Egyptians AND Pharoah’s house heard it. Tears of regret, relief, regeneration. Tears of joy and genuine love for his family. Tears of forgiveness.

Then they talked!

Joseph forgave them because he recognized that all of the trials and sufferings in his life were a set up from God. He gave Joseph to that particular caravan. He allowed Joseph to be falsely accused and imprisoned. He allowed Joseph to interpret dreams so that Joseph’s dream would be fulfilled. God did it all! And his brothers gladly bowed down!

The whole family was saved. They moved to the best land and had the best jobs. God saved the Jewish people through Joseph’s sufferings. But until Joseph was willing to forgive, the family remained torn apart.

The family moved to Goshen and Joseph was reunited with Jacob. He was able to spend time with Jacob for a few years… and then Jacob died. Although Joseph had forgiven his brothers, it doesn’t seem that the brothers forgave themselves.

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died, 17 ‘Say to Joseph, Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.  Gen 50:15-21 (ESV)

They wanted to make sure that Joseph didn’t plan some revenge – so they told him that Dad wanted peace. Again, Joseph cries – but this time he’s crying because they finally admitted their wrongdoing! Not only does he promise that he has forgiven them, but he says that he will even make sure their families are taken care of.

It takes a big man (or woman) to accept that a wrong has been done, find God’s purpose in it, and truly forgive. With forgiveness comes reconciliation and harmony.

Joseph was a cog in God’s prophetic wheel called “Israel”. But Joseph’s story is more than just a story of a dreamer who dreamt big and was rewarded by God. It’s also a story of terrible wrongs,  dysfunctional families, a murder plot, unfair incarceration, and betrayal – all made into good because Joseph realized that God was in control. He shows us the principle of “let go and let God”.

Could you have suffered through Joseph’s life without going crazy? Could you stand to be wrongly jailed? What would you want to say to the people who wronged you when you had the clear upper hand? Would you want revenge, or would you realize that God was in control?

I think I’d be like Joseph. I’d want my revenge – hot and sweet thanks! But after I had the opportunity to think about it, I would want to do the right thing. I’m not sure I could be as magnanimous as Joseph. But his story is a great reminder that God will make everything turn to His good.

Wow! What a way to start a new year. I pray that as we go through this study, we will all become more Christ-like and learn more about true forgiveness.

Forgiveness - 4 January

Time passes. Joseph’s dysfunctional family moves on without him, although Jacob has not gotten over his son’s “death”. The brothers are probably happy because they got rid of the favored one. Have you ever wondered how they dealt with their deceit? Were they even a little guilty? Did they forget Joseph? Did they ever wonder what happened to him? Did they ever want to confess to their Dad?

Meanwhile, in Egypt, Joseph became the slave of Potiphar. He was falsely accused of attempted rape and ended up in prison. It had been 22 years since Joseph saw any of his family. Did he ever think of them? Did he miss them, or was he glad that he wasn’t around the people who wanted to kill him? What about his Dad? Did he want to get in touch?

God sent a famine over all the land. Joseph was taken out of jail and promoted to second in command of all of Egypt. His dreams had come true. People now bowed to him. But people were suffering, even under his God-inspired command. There had been seven years of famine. Seven years of no crops, no going to Publix for a pre-made chicken, no veggies, no Haagen-Dazs, no anything. People were hungry. People were probably quite frightened. Jacob and his family were out of food just like everyone else. Jacob sent the kids on a mission – get us some food!

 

 When Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” 2 And he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.” 3 So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers, for he feared that harm might happen to him. 5 Thus the sons of Israel came to buy among the others who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan. 6 Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground. 7 Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. “Where do you come from?” he said. They said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.” 8 And Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. 9 And Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them. And he said to them, “You are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land.” 10 They said to him, “No, my lord, your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all sons of one man. We are honest men. Your servants have never been spies.” 12 He said to them, “No, it is the nakedness of the land that you have come to see.” 13 And they said, “We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan, and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more.” 14 But Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you. You are spies. 15 By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16 Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” 17 And he put them all together in custody for three days. Gen 42:1-17 (ESV)

 

What a coup for Joseph! After all those years, he really had a chance to “stick it” to his brothers… and he did! Sent them to jail for three days. Demanded they bring back Benjamin, who was now Daddy’s pet. And best of all, his brothers did not recognize him, so he was able to sip on the nectar of revenge without them even knowing why!

 

Twenty-two years later, his brothers were maintaining the lie that Joseph is dead. They didn’t wipe him from the figurative family tree – I wonder why? Why would they still mention him all these years later? Maybe they were trying for sympathy… or maybe they still felt guilty…

And in verse 6, what happens? Joseph remembered. I wonder if his brothers even connected the “now” with the “then”.

 

Why do you think that Joseph treated his brothers harshly? What did he do to them that was similar to what they did to him?

 

We’ve all heard the phrase what goes around comes around. Boy, was that true for Joseph! Tossed aside by his brothers because he had dreams and because he was the favorite – and now he is in a position to be quite vengeful. I think there’s a little of that in this passage. Just a little “get even” time.

 

Have you ever been able to get even? How did you feel when you were planning the revenge? When you carried out the plan, did it make you feel better… or worse? Why? Is it a sin to plan a vengeful act, or is it just a way to blow off steam?

 

Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” 22 And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.” 23 They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. 24 Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. Gen 42:21-24 (ESV)

 

Joseph’s brothers get it. They understand why they are currently being treated poorly. Reuben basically tells them “I told you so!” And they said all this in front of Joseph because they didn’t know he could understand them. I wonder if Joseph was secretly relieved that his brothers knew that they were getting a big payback for their actions. We know he turned away and cried. Was it tears of relief? Tears for the years of torment he suffered as a result of their actions? Or tears of thankfulness because God placed him in a position to help his ungrateful brothers and his beloved father?

 

Is there someone that you’re holding a grudge against – today? Did he say something bad to you? Did she stretch the truth to make you look incompetent at work? Or are you holding a grudge because you did something wrong to a friend, and when the friend reacted, you took offense? Whether it was you or me at fault, and whether I recognize my part in the problem, God makes us responsible for our own actions.

 

So if there’s someone who has caused you pain, or who you have wronged, or toward whom you feel bitter, now is the time to STOP. Get off your high horse and start the process of forgiveness. I’m convicted. Are you?

 

More about the amazing story of Joseph, they guy who had it all because he was wronged by his family, on Friday. Meanwhile, I hope you begin to look at this story with a different view – the viewpoint of forgiveness.

 

 

 

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