True Reconciliation

True Reconciliation Biblical Truths We Need to Learn: • • Genesis 45:1-15 February 25, 2018 The 6 most difficult words to speak: “I am sorry.” • “I forgive you.” “To return evil for good is devilish. To return good for good is human. To return good for evil is divine.” – Alfred Plummer • • The Big Idea: Christ calls His people to be forgiving toward those who have hurt us. Forgiveness is a conscious decision on the part of the offended party to release the offender from the penalty and guilt of the offense committed. This release not only frees the offender from guilt and punishment, but it also frees the forgiver of anger and bitterness. • An Overview of Genesis 45 ü 45:1-3 Joseph, overwhelmed by emotions, reveals his identity. • ü 44:4-8 Joseph’s graciousness on display – “Come near to me”. The source of his desire to be reconciled – “God sent me here.” • ü 44:9-12 Go and tell my father. “I will provide for you.” ü 44:13-15 An adult son still desires his father’s approval. Expressions of love and forgiveness. • The Practical Expressions (Evidence) of Forgiveness: [Matthew 5:16] • • • • They stripped Joseph of his clothes – Joseph gives them clothes They sell Joseph for a small amount of silver – Joseph gives them silver They rid themselves of Joseph – Joseph says, “Come near.” They wanted to kill him – Joseph weeps, hugs, and kisses “all his brothers.” Forgiveness is commanded for the Christian and is not optional. [Ephesians 4:32] Forgiving others is much easier when have a high view of the Lord’s sovereignty over our circumstances. o There is great freedom in interpreting our circumstances from God’s point of view. Forgiveness is not free. Sin must always have a price that is paid. But forgiveness is the decision on the part of the offended to suffer the penalty due the offender. To confess and ask for forgiveness is always risky. Lewis Smedes says, “To confess is to gamble on grace.” Forgiveness of those who hurt us is always possible, even if they never say, “I’m sorry.” Granting forgiveness just takes one person – me. Reconciliation, on the other hand, requires two people – repentance from the one who committed the offense and forgiveness from the one who was hurt. Reconciliation should always be desired and sought, but it is not always possible. [Romans 12:18] Reconciliation does not automatically restore every aspect of the relationship as it previously existed. Forgiveness is the miracle that happens when the one who has been sinned against says, “I will no longer seek to make you pay for what you did.” Reconciliation is a second miracle where two people say, “Let’s have a new beginning.” I can best forgive others when I have come to grips with the depths of my own sinfulness and need for God’s forgiveness. Those who live in the mercy of God will offer mercy to the ones who offend. [Matthew 18:21-35] “When we forgive evil we do not excuse it, we do not tolerate it, we do not www.crossrdschurch.com smother it. We look the evil full in the face, call it what it is, let its horror shock and stun and enrage us, and only then do we forgive it.” ― Lewis B. Smedes