In our journey through life, we all encounter moments of failure, some of which can profoundly change our lives and those around us. Today, we delve into the reality of moral failure, exploring its roots, consequences, and the biblical response to overcoming it.
Life is Not fair
Life is just not fair, and this unfairness can often lead to very real offense. The story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 37 illustrates this point vividly. Joseph, unfairly favored by his father Jacob, becomes the object of his brothers' hatred. This favoritism, Joseph’s cluelessness about his brothers’ feelings, and his arrogance set the stage for an offense to take root. Offenses that are not dealt with can lead to choices that bring pain and damage ourselves and all those around us.
Offense, if left unchecked, can grow into something destructive. Joseph's dreams, which he shares with his brothers, only fuel their resentment, which ultimately leads to a plot to kill Joseph. Now, most of us will never allow our offense to carry us all the way to murder, but all of us have a tendency to allow our offenses to spark actions and words that we would normally never consider. The depth of hatred that grew in Joseph’s brothers’ hearts is a stark reminder that we must address our feelings of offense before they spiral out of control.
Unchecked offense can lead to hatred.
Hatred is a powerful emotion that can have devastating outcomes. In Joseph's story, his brothers' hatred leads them to sell him into slavery, a decision that brings immense pain to their father, Jacob, leaves them living a perpetual lie in their family, and leaves Joseph in a spiraling pattern of abuse and misuse that takes years to work its way out. The depth of dysfunction in the family is caused, in the beginning, by an unwise set of choices by Joseph and his father, Jacob, but was set into stone as a generational sin by the uncaring actions of Joseph’s brothers.
Sin Begets Sin
All of this taken together teaches us a critical truth: sin leads to more sin. The sin of not dealing fairly with his children committed by Jacob set the stage for the sin of uncaring arrogance on the part of Joseph as he proudly repeats to them his visions of grandeur. All of this led to jealousy in Joseph’s brothers and culminated in a series of unthinkably terrible actions, including deception and betrayal. If this teaches us anything, it should remind us of the importance of confronting our sins before they multiply and wreak havoc on our lives.
The Power of Love and Reconciliation
The antidote to offense and moral failure is Spirit-driven love. Recognizing the God-given value of every person, made in God’s image, is the first step towards healing. The Holy Spirit can provide the love we lack and help us see others through God's eyes. Once we are able to see them through the Spirit’s lens, we will begin to find space in our hearts for love and reconciliation.
This kind of forgiveness and reconciliation is so important that Jesus tells us that before we can truly worship, we must reconcile with those we have offended or who have offended us. It's a call to action, urging us not to let another day pass while offense festers in our hearts. By addressing our grievances and seeking peace, we can stop the spread of sin and embody the love that Jesus exemplifies.
The Path to Forgiveness
As we reflect on the story of Joseph and his brothers, let us challenge ourselves to confront any offense we harbor. Like all journeys, the pathway to peace and forgiveness begins with the first step.
This week, consider these questions:
How have I been offended either recently or long ago?
Have I allowed that offense to take root in my heart?
How can I extend love and seek reconciliation with those I've struggled to forgive?
By embracing love and the power of reconciliation, we can overcome moral failure and live in a way that honors God and reflects His grace to the world.
Click on the following link to watch the full sermon on Mistakes Were Made: Moral Failure
Offense is so sneaky. If you're not vigilant, you will find yourself mad, angry and even annoyed by the silliest things. But it's the small foxes, right? The other day my husband [with his fine self], made a comment about turning on a light. I just had to let him know how I felt about what he said. He had such a smile on his face that completely convicted me [lucky for him I like him😊]. Did I 'really' have to say anything? I didn't; but the flesh is never satisfied. I made the situation right, and we laughed. But, man; offense is sneaky. I could have held onto that offense, been all mad [I'm too fine for that]. W…