Forgiveness -- part 3

As we conclude our study of the topic of forgiveness, we can find in God’s Word many examples of the power of forgiveness, as well as examples of the trouble that comes if forgiveness is not given to others. Last week we talked about examples from the lives of Moses and the brothers Cain and Abel. Today we will look at one of my favorite Bible characters, Joseph, and see how he was challenged in the area of forgiveness.

Let’s start by reading this passage from Genesis 37: 1-10 (NKJV).

Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. ² This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father.

³ Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. ⁴ But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.

⁵ Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. ⁶ So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: ⁷ There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.”

⁸ And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

⁹ Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.”  ¹⁰ So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?”

We see in this passage that Joseph had a beautiful dream that eventually led him to a place of command in a nation. Yet by sharing that dream with his brothers, jealousy, hate, competition, and sibling rivalry against him rose up in the hearts of his siblings. We all know the story of how Joseph ended up in Egypt and that it was there that his dream actually became a reality.

Although Joseph went through multiple trials (the pit, the prison, and finally the palace), it was the way he ruled over his heart and chose to forgive in all circumstances that eventually brought him to the place of ruling and power. In choosing to forgive, he was free to move forward in all that God had destined for him, whether he understood what was happening at the time or not. Forgiveness keeps us in the center of God’s will!

Mothers of Nations, let’s now look at three types or levels of forgiveness.

•  Total Forgiveness -- all negativity is gone, full restoration.
•  Limited Forgiveness -- some negativity remains, only partial restoration.
•  Detached Forgiveness -- no reconciliation takes place, ignoring or denying offense.

Each of these levels exhibits the degree to which we examine our heart and offer forgiveness to those who have trespassed against us in some way. Of course the best level is the level of total forgiveness and the release of all offense from our hearts and lives.

The Word of God reminds us that in the last days we as believers are exhorted to forgive. 2 Timothy 3: 1-5 (NKJV) says this:  But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

These verses remind us that in times when this type of lifestyle is overtly taking place, we as believers are to have nothing to do with such things. Why? These choices of lifestyle are traps and will stunt our spiritual growth. As well these ways of living will eventually stop the blessing of the Lord upon our lives. Instead our lives will become full of bad attitudes, anger issues, and resentments of all kinds. It will be the life of unforgiveness which causes suffering to our minds, emotions and even our bodies. This is NOT what our Lord wants for us as His children.

As we draw to a close, here are some bullet points to remember about forgiveness.

•  Forgiveness is a choice.
•  Forgiveness is a lifestyle.
•  Forgiveness is easiest to offer if done right away after an offense comes.
•  Forgiveness keeps us in alignment and in step with God.
•  Forgiveness keeps our mind healthy and our heart right and pure.
•  Forgiveness says, “I admit that I am not perfect.”
•  Forgiveness says, “I am not going to hold them accountable.”
•  Forgiveness says, “What would I have done in this situation? The same thing?”

Here are some final reminders from the Scriptures about the power of forgiveness.

Colossians 3: 13 (NKJV) -- Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Ephesians 4: 32 (NKJV) -- And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Luke 6: 37 (NKJV) -- “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

In other words, don’t judge, condemn, or pronounce guilt. Rather we should forgive, release, acquit, and simply let offense go.

Psalm 86: 5 (NKJV) -- For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

Let me close with this poem that the Lord inspired me to write as I was preparing this series of blog entries.

"Forgiveness"

Lord Jesus, help me to forgive. I do choose to be kind and to fully live.

I know my heart can be wrong when choosing to complain rather than sing a praise song.

Help me to be patient, understanding, and free, Open my eyes to see what You see.

Let me walk a lifestyle of forgiving others, whether it's a friend, co-worker, sister or brother.

I choose to forgive every disappointment and pain. I forgive every person and any type of Cain.

I choose a lifestyle of love and peace, a lifestyle of forgiveness and grace increased.

Thank you, Lord, You first forgave me. May I continue to honor Your great grace extended to me.

I will forgive others because You set me free and thus I can unreservedly walk in humility.

Dr. Sharon Predovich