Forgiveness

Matthew 6:14-15

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men their sins,
your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Forgiveness is one of the most powerful actions
that Christians can perform.

The world doesn’t understand the ability or reasons to do this because it is most unnatural in the world.

Besides, there is pain to be overcome because behind every act of forgiveness lies the wound of betrayal.

But there is far more pain,
emotional, social, and physical damage done
when we do not forgive.

What separates Christianity from other religions?
One of the first things is forgiveness!

Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother who sinned against him. He thought he was magnanimous when he suggested seven times! Jesus replied, “…not seven times, but seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:22).

Jesus then shared a parable about a man who, after much pleading for mercy, was forgiven for much and yet would not forgive another person who owed him little. In the parable, the master threw the man into jail to be tortured until he paid back his large debt. Then came the conclusion: “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart” (Matthew 18:35).

Let us forgive others who hurt us
because God has commanded it and
because our own forgiveness depends on it.

Oh Lord,
give me a spirit of forgiveness toward others who hurt me,
just as You have forgiven me.

Joseph Forgave His Brothers

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
(Genesis 45:4–8)

Joseph’s brothers were guilty on all counts.

They had plotted to kill their brother Joseph and then sold him as a slave.

They had cut him off from the family, ending his life as he envisioned it.

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There was no making up for it.

There were no excuses.

They were all guilty.

But they still had one hope: forgiveness.

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Joseph forgave his brothers.

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Joseph declared one of the most profound theological truths of the Bible: God had been sovereign over the whole matter.

Joseph was able to see God’s purposes and be free of bitterness.

Lesson: When we are wronged, we need to look to see how God can bring good from it. God can and He will.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
(Romans 8:28)

Then we need to forgive and let God work out His purposes.

Joseph forgave his brothers.

Let us forgive one another.