Held Accountable

Held Accountable

Then they said to one another, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us.” And Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.” But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter.

Genesis 42:21-23

Christ holds people accountable for their deeds. Joseph was the Prime Minister of Egypt. Jacob, his father, sent his brothers to Egypt to buy grain. The brothers did not recognize Joseph. Joseph held them accountable for their sin. Before there could be reconciliation with Joseph, there had to be repentance on the part of his brothers. To effect that repentance, Joseph faced them with their sin. He accused them of being spies. He put them all into prison for three days. He incarcerated Simeon for as long as it took them to return with Benjamin, the youngest brother. He arranged to have his personal property hidden in Benjamin’s sack. He threatened to incarcerate Benjamin until his brothers literally begged for mercy. It was why, after they repented, that Joseph reconciled with them and restored fellowship with them. He forgave them after their repentance. So it is with Christ. Forgiveness follows repentance. He stands, ever willing to forgive; is entirely disposed to forgive, but only grants forgiveness after repentance. This is a hard lesson to learn. This is Apostolic truth. Paul, speaking of his ministry declares that he had been, ‘testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.’  We will not receive forgiveness from God, and have reconciliation with God, till we have shown repentance toward God. Let us, today, embrace a whole God, a whole Bible, and a whole Christ. If we are estranged from Him, He stands ready to forgive and reconcile. He calls upon us to repent.

Our most Gracious and Kind God,
we rejoice that Your Goodness leads us to repentance.
We pray, that we will understand Your Holy Character,
and embrace You as our Whole God in every way.

Tomm Tice

Where the Bush is Burning