If
forgiveness is to be successful, it's critically important to accept that it
most often proceeds in graduated steps. However, God is not restricted by human
limitations. He is capable of instant and complete forgiveness. We are not endowed
with God's perfection, so forgiveness may be a bit more difficult to achieve.
When Joseph became aware of the need to
forgive his brothers, he realized the consequence of refusing to do so.
Therefore, the first step in forgiveness is be aware of what will be lost
forever by failing to forgive. Joseph forgave his brothers because he wanted to
see his father whom he had not seen for twenty years.
Failure
to forgive may affect future losses that are difficult to imagine, such as coming
to a juncture in life’s journey only to realize what a mistake it was to have
been unforgiving. God intended for us to enjoy a sense of inner peace. That's
why he commanded us to forgive others as he has forgiven us. Won’t you seek
God’s forgiveness right now?
So they sent a
message to Joseph: “Before our father died, he told us to ask you, ‘Please
forgive the crime your brothers committed when they wronged you.’ Now please
forgive us the wrong that we, the servants of your father’s God, have done.”
Joseph cried when he received this message…
Joseph said
to them, “Don’t be afraid; I can’t put myself in the place of God. You plotted
evil against me, but God turned it into good…You have nothing to fear. I will take
care of you and your children.” So he reassured them with kind words that
touched their hearts.
~Genesis 50:16-21 Good
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