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. (Genesis 50)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Revenge. Payback. We know what it is like to be sinned against. It hurts. Betrayed. Gossiped about. Cheated on. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. (1 Thessalonians 5) “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” (Acts 7)
Joseph knew what it was liked to be sinned against. Betrayed by his brothers. He was stripped of his clothes. Thrown into a pit. Mocked. Left for dead. Sold into slavery for 20 pieces of silver. He suffered at the hands of his own brothers. ...but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones. (Genesis 50)
Joseph is a Christ-like figure in the Scriptures. What men meant for evil against Joseph God meant for good. At the Cross of Calvary, Christ’s Crucifixion was meant to get rid of Jesus. God used it for Good. The FORGIVENESS OF SINS. “Father, forgive them.” (Luke 23) Christ Risen from the dead brings His FORGIVENESS to sinners.
Peace be with you…If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld. (John 20)
Repent of your sin. Let all your sins die with Christ. In Christ’s death and resurrection.
What to do with the sins committed against you? FORGIVE. Forgive those who sin against you. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. (1 Peter 3)
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4)
The life of a Christian is one of FORGIVENESS. Christians receive the forgiveness of sins all for Christ’s sake. Now, living in this forgiveness, you forgive those who sin against you. You forgive your spouse, children, and neighbor. Where there is forgiveness of sins there is life and salvation.
Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. (James 5)
Rejoice in the rich treasure of the forgiveness of sins. Rejoice in hearing, receiving and forgiving one another. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 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. (Colossians 3)