Dear Servant,
Do you recall the story of Joseph from the Old Testament? In a moving confession, Joseph forgives his brothers and tells them that although they meant to do evil against him, that I used their evil for good and saved Joseph and his whole family. After Joseph’s father passed, the brothers openly question if Joseph would seek his revenge against them. They share a suspicious plea from their father that Joseph should forgive them. Joseph, had already forgiven them and demonstrated his forgiveness in his care for them and their families. So why did the brothers have so much fear? Their own hearts condemned them. Joseph had not forgiven them, but they could not forgive themselves and allowed fear and remorse to drive their actions rather than grace and forgiveness.
My child, you allow your own heart to condemn you and you refuse to accept grace. You forgive others their sin, often with grace through the help of my spirit. Why will you not extend the same grace to yourself? Why do you allow your own heart to condemn you and continue to walk in fear and condemnation, instead of grace?
Grace, not Condemnation, I AM
Verses for thought: Genesis 50, Romans 8:1-4