Forgiveness! - Genesis 50:1-26

As soon as their father, Jacob, died, Joseph's brothers were fearful that now Joseph would seek revenge for their sinful treatment of him. They fell on their face before Joseph, claimed that daddy had told him to forgive and then offered themselves as slaves for the rest of their lives in order to some how earn his forgiveness. Joseph wept, partly because they were repentant and willing to acknowledge their wrong, but also because they did not realize that Joseph had forgiven them long ago and they were still suffering guilt that was unnecessary.

All of us need forgiveness! The Bible says "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23) and "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them that are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped and that all the world may become guilty before God"(Romans 3:19).

Forgiveness is available to all! "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"(1 John 1:9) The Bible says that if we agree with God(confess) our sins He is faithful(always willing, able, available) and just(has the right) to forgive us and cleanse us from all our sin!

Forgiveness is based on grace(the work of Christ and not our own)!! "In whom we have redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of sin according to the riches of His grace"(Ephesians 1:7).

Many people suffer with the guilt of sin when it is unnecessary for two reasons:
1. They stubbornly refuse to acknowledge their sin and come to Christ for forgiveness
2. They think that they must earn forgiveness of sin by their own works

If you have guilt in your heart today do not delay another moment! Rush to the throne of grace to find full and free forgiveness in the shed blood of Jesus Christ! "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man(Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses"(Acts 13:38,39). "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin"(Hebrews 10:17,18)

Walk with the King and rest in His forgiveness!!!