Forgiveness Frees Series

Have you observed how when children are little they find it easy to forgive one another? Most children are ready to apologize immediately, forget offenses, and get back into relationship with one another. However, as we grow older, forgiving others becomes a major issue. Relationships at every level are broken or shattered, simply because many choose to continue on without forgiving those who offended them.

The bible gives us a good understanding of the kind of forgiveness that God extends to us, and also clearly explains the kind of forgiveness we must offer others.

The way Joseph forgave

The story of Joseph as recorded in Genesis Chapters 37 to 50 is a truly incredible account. Joseph, the favorite son of his father Jacob, was thrown into a pit and sold into slavery by his own brothers, because of their intense hatred and envy against him. The Lord was with Joseph through all the ups and downs of his life, as a slave in Egypt; and in His time God, elevated Joseph to become second in command to Pharaoh, king of Egypt. When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt looking for food at a time of famine, Joseph dealt with them with kindness and generosity, instead of repaying them for their cruelty.

The climax of this story was, when Joseph’s father Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers assumed that he would avenge and get even with them. In Genesis 50:16-18, Joseph’s brothers begged Joseph to forgive them for all the wrong they had done to him and fell at his feet seeking his forgiveness.

This is the response of Joseph as recorded in Genesis 50:19-21, But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. (NLT)

The reaction of Joseph confounds us as he wept and extended unconditional forgiveness to his brothers, who had been cruel to him, and done him much harm. Joseph was able to do this only because he saw things from God’s perspective, and he realized that the evil that was intended against him, was actually God’s way of saving his entire family, who would have otherwise died during the severe famine.

The forgiveness that Jesus offered

The woman caught in adultery

John Chapter 8:1-11, narrates the incident when a woman who was caught in adultery was brought before Jesus by the religious leaders. While the law demanded that such a one be stoned to death, the religious leaders wanted to test Jesus to see what would be His response. Jesus did two things; He stooped down and began to write on the ground and when the accusers kept demanding an answer, Jesus responded to them with this statement as found in John 8:7, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” (NLT)

That one statement of Jesus silenced every accuser, and one can imagine the scene as every one of them slipped out, from the oldest to the youngest, quietly dropping their stones as they escaped from the scene. The only one who could have condemned her chose not to do so, and every person who brought the allegation left hastily knowing that no one was perfect before the holy Son of God.

These are the words of Jesus to this woman in John 8:10-11, “Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”(NLT)

Jesus came into this world to lavish this forgiveness on sinful humanity by taking all of our sins on the cruel cross of Calvary. This was why, even in those moments of intense pain and agony, the sinless Lamb of God could cry out as recorded in Luke 23:34, “…Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (ESV)

It is this forgiveness of Jesus that encourages us to forgive those who do us wrong because we know that not one of us is worthy to receive this forgiveness that Jesus offers to us.

Why do we find it hard to forgive others?

• Often our egos hinder us from forgiving others

• The hurts caused are too deep and painful

• We feel we are in the right, and therefore justify our stance to not forgive

• The person who hurt us does not feel any remorse for their wrongdoing

• We have not personally experienced the forgiveness that Jesus offers

What are God’s guidelines on forgiveness?