Be Guilty No More

Read Genesis 47:29-50
 
Genesis 50:15-17 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 brother’s 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.
 
GUILT still is very much on Joseph’s brothers’ hearts. For about 17 years after Jacob and his sons came to Egypt, Joseph has continually demonstrated his grace and forgiveness toward all members of his family. Israel’s family had the best land in Egypt, and they tended to their flocks in Pharaoh’s favor. Life was abundant for them. Still, the brothers were afraid Joseph was waiting for their father’s death to avenge their hateful acts toward him. They did not trust Joseph has truly said in his heart, “I forgive you.”
   That’s the thing about sin. It forms this virus-like guilt and shame that continually attacks our mind, heart and soul. Even when someone says, “I forgive you.” your guilt will too often hold you captive in self-condemnation. We remember our sin to recall the hurt we’ve caused or the failures of our own expectations. Guilt accuses, “You could have done better.” In our own conviction we wonder, “Am I forgiven?”
   That’s the question in Joseph’s brothers’ minds. The men with murderous retribution and intentions demonstrated against Shechem in Genesis 34 and their own brother in Genesis 37 could not truly understand Joseph’s grace. In response, Joseph mourned his brothers’ unbelief. He was grieved they didn’t trust his love, kindness, provision and mercy.
   In a like manner, God must feel a great sadness when our hearts reject his forgiveness. El Shaddai, the Almighty God, teaches us of his profound forgiveness in Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Here is the one thing God can’t do – remember your sins. When you repent and pray, “Father, forgive my sins as I forgive those who sin against me.” (from Matthew 6:12) Jesus’ blood covers your sins forever. 1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
   Jesus made it so on the cross, “It is finished.” (John 19:30b) to declare God’s redemptive plan to save you is complete. And remember Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Do you see? The LORD God will forgive and forget your sins. He reserves his vengeance for the unrepentant. His will is to turn you from your past and into your new restored relationship with him. God has thrown away your sin, and so must you.
   Release what God has released from your life. Firmly grasp the good tomorrow your Lord God urges for you: Romans 8:27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 
   When you repent, God forgives. The sin is done. Will you believe God’s forgiveness? Trust the cross. Trust the grace. Trust the forgiveness.
 
Do You Know? God forgives and forgets your sins when you confess and place yourself in his mercy.