The Doctrine of Forgiveness

The Sacrament of Mercy

These things are as holy and essential as faith and the new birth.

Ever been disappointed in how the Church leaders treated you?
Paul said this,

“no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.” Philippians 4:15

“At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.”

I want to encourage you.

Often in our pursuit, we experience this same kind of thing.

It’s always been a part of how God deals with people and in their journey in endeavoring to do the will of God.

Joseph, maybe the most significant individual that accomplished such an amazing feat of deliverance. It’s startling depth and breadth. He was used to save the entire World. It was injustice from “his brothers” who should have done better. They were murderous, treacherous, and the height of betrayal.
However, we must embrace the wisdom of Joseph.

It was all a part of God’s plan to bring about His purpose in Joseph particularly and God’s plan in specifically.
Picture Joseph weeping when he says this.
If we can see the tears, sorrow in Joseph… and let that be our model. (This hit me like a bus the other day.)

When Josephs’s brothers came begging for mercy because Jacob died… They expected Joseph to exact revenge.

“And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
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.

Now, therefore, fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.”
An even greater example we see in Jesus. “Father forgive them.” Jesus could not save the world till he forgave the individuals whose face he had seen and even the specific target of his intended ministry. Until you do it for those who hurt you the most, you can not truly accomplish anything for those beyond. This is the context to this sacred doctrine of Christ. ” But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44 & 45


Just to put a point of conclusion absorb this simple reality.

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”
Matthew 5:7