Success and Failure Blog

Successful People Know How to Forgive

In Genesis 50 we learn that Joseph was able to forgive his brothers, even after all of the terrible things they had done to him.

Genesis 50:15b-17

“What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘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.

Genesis 50:20-21 goes on to explain Joseph’s reasons for forgiving:

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

If you recall, Joseph’s brothers were very jealous of him because he was the favored son of the family and  had thrown him in a well and left him there, then they sold him into slavery for 8 ounces of silver. After this, Joseph was jailed in Egypt,  for something that he didn’t do and spent several years in prison. Even after all that Joseph had gone through because of his brothers, he was still able to forgive them and hold no ill will against them.

(for more background see Genesis 37, 39-41)

What else does the bible say about being able to forgive?

2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Forgive, we have to realize that we are all sinners, we still have sin and we still do sin. Thus, we always need to not only be aware of it, but also repent from it and seek forgiveness. This is a must, daily act, not just when we think about it, or wait until we are convicted. We must be willing to seek forgiveness daily from God and others!   **

Matthew 6:13-15 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

We are to forgive others in response to the fact that we have been forgiven. However, the forgiveness we may give to others will never compare to the forgiveness Christ has given us!  **

So, what blocks your seeking forgiveness from Christ and others?

Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive , and you will be forgiven.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

To learn how you feel about forgiveness and forgiving others ask yourself the following questions:     **

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1. How do I exhibit forgiveness in my daily life?
2. What can I do to develop a better attitude of forgiveness?
3. What blocks forgiveness from working and being exhibited in me?
4. How can I make forgiveness function better, stronger and faster even in times of uncertainly and stress?

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** Selected commentary and questions taken from Into Thy Word

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