Thursday 24 August - I Forgive You: The Most Daring Words People Say

Introduction

Reading: Genesis 45:1-15. Who has hurt you the most in life? Who has caused you the most bitterness and pain? Would you be able to look them in the eye today and say, I forgive you?

Will Joseph of Egypt Say I Forgive You?

That was the decision Joseph of Egypt faced. He was the second most powerful man in the land, and before him came his starving brothers, trying to find food and relief from the famine in their neighbouring country. Around a decade earlier, Joseph's brothers had beaten him up, sold him into slavery, and told his father that he had been killed by wild animals.

Had Joseph held on to his hurt? Had his life been peppered with resentment and bitterness? Would he take revenge on his brothers? Or would he say, I forgive you?

Joseph Says I Forgive You

Joseph chose to say, I forgive you. But he went further. He asked his brothers to come closer. He hugged his youngest brother, Benjamin, and kissed and wept over each of his other brothers. He didn't just forgive them. He showed them love and affection. He was daring in both his words and his actions!

You Can Make the Daring Choice to Say I Forgive You Too

You too can make the daring choice to say to the person who has hurt you the most, I forgive you. But God dares you to go further. He wants you to respond to their evil with good. He wants you to bless the one who has hurt you. Why? Because it's the happiest and healthiest way to live. When Joseph choose to forgive his brothers, the Bible tells us he wept with joy.

When you say, I forgive you, and choose to show love to someone who has hurt you badly, you're free to move forward with your life.

Think It Over

Who are you refusing to say I forgive you to? How is that impacting your holiness and spiritual growth?