The Favor of Forgiveness

Mark Estepp - 6/18/2023

Genesis 50:15-23
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 

16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 

17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.

19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 

21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

22 Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years 23 and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees.

3 things that forgiveness is not:
- Settling for excusing wrongs is not forgiveness.  
- Settling for self-punishment is not forgiveness.
- Settling for being a fool is not forgiveness.  

Real forgiveness means looking steadily at the sin, the sin that is without any excuse and seeing it in all its horror, dirt, meanness, and malice, and nevertheless being wholly reconciled to the man who has done it. - C.S. Lewis 

3 things that keep your from forgiveness:

- “What if’s” keep you from forgiveness.  
- Fear keeps you from forgiveness. 
- Putting yourself in the place of God keeps you from forgiveness.  

Forgiveness unlocks favor for your future. 

Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.