01/29/16 - Genesis 48-50 - "Forgiveness of Self"

After burying his father, Joseph went back to Egypt. All his brothers who had come with him to bury his father returned with him.

After the funeral, Joseph’s brothers talked among themselves: “What if Joseph is carrying a grudge and decides to pay us back for all the wrong we did him?”

So they sent Joseph a message, “Before his death, your father gave this command:
Tell Joseph, ‘Forgive your brothers’ sin—all that wrongdoing. They did treat you very badly.’
Will you do it? Will you forgive the sins of the servants of your father’s God?”

When Joseph received their message, he wept.

 Then the brothers went in person to him, threw themselves on the ground before him and said, “We’ll be your slaves.”

 Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid.
Do I act for God?
Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people.
Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I’ll take care of you and your children.”
He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart." (50:14-21)

It  can be one of satan's strongest tools.  We can allow this tool to distort our vision, our minds and run.  Run without seeing, react without thinking things through.  We can resort to manipulation, lying, deceit, in attempt to save ourselves. 

FEAR. 

Joseph had shown his brothers forgiveness many times over and yet they didn't believe or accept this gift.  It wasn't because of something Joseph did or didn't do - they picked up "fear" and ran with it.  Just as we often do.  God has forgiven us - it isn't His lacking - it is us.

They hadn't forgiven themselves for their sinful acts - just as we don't forgive ourselves. 

How satan loves when I do not extend the gift of forgiveness to my "self". he relishes the times I put my "self" above God and deem what I have done can not be forgiven. he looks forward to the time I carry the burden about me, coming along side to poke and prod with the stick of fear. he waits, licking his lips in anticipation to see if I shall resort to being unChristlike in attempt to cover my sins.

he doesn't want me to pick up the gift of The Cross.  My Savior.  Forgiveness.

God has promised when I accepted Christ as my Savior, I. am. saved. 

My sins are forgiven because of The Blood of my Christ.  Even sins which I have yet to commit.  Christ was and is the ultimate sacrifice.  It states in scripture I will be judged - for how my time and talents were spent - not my sins.  I have the greatest defense lawyer in the world!  He is standing at the ready, on my day in God's courts, to step in and say - "Sins Covered.  Sins Erased".
There isn't going to be a movie screen with "Sins of Deby" playing - Christ has erased them.  He has made me pure as white snow. 

There aren't any sins to film. 


I am forgiven.

Through Christ, my Savior, His blood. 

I am forgiven. 

He has forgiven me. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. 

Forgiven.

In taking up fear,  I think I have the right to not forgive my "self".  I feel it is my right to replay all my sins, over and over, while God has no memory of them.  Running in  fear, I try to nail myself upon a cross, thinking "self" will cover my sins. 

Each time I choose FEAR and unforgiveness of "self" -  

I am taking His greatest Gift and am shoving it back into His face. 
I am not taking in faith ABBA's sacrifice of His Only Beloved Son - didn't cover "my" sins.   
I cause Him to weep.
I am saying His way isn't enough.