PODCAST
Forgiveness with Generosity
July 26th, 2014
Genesis 45:1-15
One of my favorite authors is Isabel Allende. She quotes her daughter’s motto as one that guides both her writing and her private life. The motto is, “When in doubt, ask: ‘What is the most generous thing to do?’”
Believe it or not, there are ways to “forgive” people that still leave vast amounts of regret and damage unresolved. Joseph seemed concerned with the effects this continued guilt and regret would have on his brothers. So in addition to forgiving them, Joseph took the generous step of going beyond forgiveness. He attempted to redeem them from the bondage and emotional torment they displayed in their repentance.
This is surely the most generous way we, too, can forgive anyone who has offended us. Sometimes we want to forgive, but we want our offender to continue to feel terrible about what they’ve done. This kind of forgiveness is selfish. It relieves me of the guilt of an unforgiving spirit, but it insures that the other party remains burdened by what they’ve done. May God help us learn to forgive generously, as He forgives us. May we offer true redemption and freedom in our forgiveness.
Author: Lisa Mueller
July 27th, 2014 at 12:36 am
If, in forgiving, we ‘heap coals of fire upon their heads’ as the Bible says, is it possible to forgive without causing some form of pain?
July 28th, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Pat, you raise a good point. The phrase “heap burning coals on his head” (Romans 12:20; Proverbs 25:22). May be a reference to the shame a person can feel when someone they have done wrong repays them with kindness. This would presume that such a person recognizes the wrong they have done. Paul provides his own commentary in Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” It is true God can even use pain (including emotional pain, such as shame) to guide us to a place of repentance and new life.
August 3rd, 2014 at 6:57 am
I have not received the current daily readings since July 29. Can you please put me back on the mailing list. Thank you