The secret of the mystery. Part 219. The mystery behind Christian marriage. Part 11.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
a. The husband’s love for the wife, EPH 5:25.
b. The respect of the woman to the man, EPH 5:22.
c. EPH 4:32 - forgiveness.
Marriage is an arena and a forum for the expression of virtue.
Doctrine Of Forgiveness. Point 1. Definition of Forgiveness.
Forgiveness = to give up resentment, excuse a guilty party, to release from payment, to forget an offense never bringing it up again not even to discuss it!
If someone asks for your forgiveness, and in honor you forgive them, then integrity and loyalty to doctrine demands that you forget whatever was done against you.
Arrogance has no ability to forgive.
Point 2. The Ultimate Expression Of Forgiveness Was The Cross Of Christ.
This was why our Lord screamed out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Point 3. Scripture Passages on Forgiveness.
ISA 43:25 “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake [because of My honor and integrity]. Furthermore, I will not remember your sin.”
MAR 11:25 “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions.”
1JO 2:12 “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.”
Point 4. One of the greatest illustrations of forgiveness is found in the story of Joseph.
1. Joseph was thrown into the pit by his brothers which was a part of God’s plan for his life, which he failed to recognize, GEN 37:1-24.
2. Joseph was sold to a caravan, which just so happened to be coming by, and the caravan took Joseph to Egypt, God’s geographical will for Joseph, GEN 37:25-36!
3. Joseph then became a servant to Potiphar, who was an officer of Pharaoh, and Joseph learned that God can provide prosperity in any situation, GEN 39:2-6.
4. Joseph was then tempted many times by his Potiphar’s wife to have sex with her, and he passed the test magnificently,
GEN 39:7-10.
5. Mrs. Potiphar reacted against the rejection by Joseph and falsely accused Joseph of trying to seduce her, and this was a total act of injustice, GEN 39:11-18.
6. Potiphar believed his wife and threw Joseph into the dungeon for his second “pit” experience, GEN 39:19-20.
7. In GEN 40:1-4, Potiphar abuses his authority and gives Joseph double duties as a slave to two aristocrats in the Egyptian prison.
8. In GEN 40:14-15, Joseph fails again by relying on man rather than the Lord, and the two men both forget to help Joseph in his prison experience.
When God blesses and God promotes, the disasters, tragedies, and heartaches of life are all blotted out.
Joseph’s brothers assume that Jacob’s death will remove Joseph’s restraint and tolerance of them and that he will seek revenge.
The brothers judged Joseph by assigning to him their own flaws, their own sins, and their own weaknesses.
MAT 7:12 “Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them,”