FORGIVENESS IS OF GOD (I)

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This is a daily scriptural devotional guide from my church Christ Apostolic Church and please kindly expect this from me almost daily because it is a food for the spirit. Thank you.

CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE 📚
(THE LIVING WATER)

DATE: Friday, 16th February, 2018.

TOPIC: FORGIVENESS IS OF GOD (I)

📖 READ: Genesis 50:15-21

15: And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.

16: And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,

17: So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

18: And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

19: And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

20: But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

21: Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

MEMORISE: Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?" (Genesis 50:19)

EXPOSITION:
The bitter truth we need to know and accept as Christians is that forgiveness is of God. We shouldn't do anything against the truth, but for the truth. It is God's prerogative to justify, and condemn (Rom. 8:33-34). No one can condemn anyone God justifies, and vice versa. The Bible says, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord (Rom. 12:19). If somebody has offended you, it is time for you to follow the way of forgiveness, because it belongs to God. You should allow God to decide what He will do towards the offender.

When Jacob died, all Joseph's brothers were in a state of panic, thinking that he would retaliate, because the evil things they had done to him was still fresh in their memory. They were looking for a way of obtaining favour from him (vv. 15-18). The thought-provoking questions Joseph asked in response to their pleading has been a timeless truth and an eye-opener for us. With the questions, he was indirectly telling them that both forgiveness and vengeance belong to God. Joseph assured them of his forgiveness, and told them that God has the final say (v. 20).

As a matter of fact, anybody who repays evil for evil has put him or herself in the place of God (Rom. 12:17). It is an act of rebellion and pride for a creature to put himself in the place of his creator. This is the sin of the devil (Isa. 14:12-15; 1 Tim. 3:6). To forgive our offenders from our hearts is God's command for us (Matt. 18:35; Lk. 6:37). Unforgiveness opens us up to the tormentor the devil (Matt. 18:27-35). As you go out today, think of someone who needs your forgiveness, forgive the person, and leave the matter of vengeance to God, and God alone.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Lord, I repent of all the vengeful steps I have taken against my supposed offenders in the past, and I ask for Your forgiveness, in Jesus' name.

2. I receive the grace to forgive and forgo the wrong deeds of others against me, in Jesus' name.

3. Lord, minister to all the Christian couples to practice forgiveness in their homes.

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Leviticus 9 - 10 & Luke 4

Author: CAC WORLDWIDE

Good morning Sir/Ma., have a splendid weekend and do remain blessed in the Lord Jesus Christ (Amen)!

#TGIF
#GodBlessNigeria

Shalom.

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