Begin Again: "Forgiveness - Pt 2' - Genesis 32:22-31

22 And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. 23 He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. 24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" 27 So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." 28 And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." 29 Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." 31 Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. - Genesis 32:22-31

Before conversion, many of us have done things and said things that we should never have done or said. But, what do we do when our struggle with sin and self continues long after we've initially confessed faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord? Or, we confess our sins daily only to find that the "good" we would do, is still elusive.

 It is only when we have reached that place, where we see ourselves as God, and man, see us, that we are ready to be broken. It is in that "place" that the Lord breaks us of everything we use to prop our "self" up with. It is in that "place" that we realize how awful we worthless we really are, apart from God's grace and mercy. We need the Lord's forgiveness, but we also need to forgive ourselves.

Jacob wrestled with the Angel (Man) of God until the breaking of day, to receive a Word of affirmation from the Lord. He needed to know that he was no longer what people had told him he was, all of his life. Jacob had grown weary of those titles: "con artist", the "trickster" and "deceiver". Do you ever get sick and tired of committing the same sins that you confess, over and over again?

It will always cost us to reach that "place" that will thrust us into God's will for our lives; our destiny in Christ Jesus!

For an Inductive Study on Genesis 32, please visit the Bible Study for Busy People blog.

Begin Again: "Forgiveness" - Pt. 1 (James 4:1-12)

1 Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. 2 You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. 3 And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way. 4You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. 5 And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." 6 And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble." 7 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. 8 Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. 9 Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. 10 Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. 11 Don't bad-mouth each other, friends. It's God's Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You're supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. 12 God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others? - James 4:1-12 (MSG)


In Part One of our study on "Forgiveness" we looked at one aspect of our human nature that  frequently cause strife, division and offense among the members of the body of Christ: JEALOUSY or ENVY! Those emotions were the root cause of the very first murder in human history, In fact, it may very well be that these ungodly emotions, which are indicative of pride and rebellion against God, are what causes many, within the body of Christ, to slander, belittle, or otherwise offend one another.James 4:1-12 speak to the impurities in our inner life that hinder us in our relationships with other believers and with our God.


Could it be that we are so busy comparing ourselves (our spirituality) with our brothers and sisters in the Lord that we begin to covet what the Lord has blessed them to have? And, if we covet what someone else has, because we want what they have, aren't we enemies of God? The word "enemy" may seem to be a bit too strong for some who read this message. But, whenever we are not content with what the Lord has given us, and feel entitled to something that someone else has been blessed with, we're in effect telling the Lord that we are not in agreement with His will for us.


Jealousy and envy will consume us unless, and until, we bring those feelings to the cross of Christ, through confession, and forsake them (repent). It is only after we confess our true feelings to God, that He can begin to heal our hearts and enable us to love others, as He enables us, by His Spirit to do.


Personal Application: Have you sought the Father's forgiveness for any bitterness, envy or jealousy that you may harbor toward another brother or sister in the Lord? If not, will you do so today?


For an Inductive Study on the above Scripture reading, please visit the Bible Study for Busy People blog.