cs162sbn@sdcc5.ucsd.edu (The Flash(layman)) (04/25/91)
hey, I have to lead a Bible study this Friday. The text is Gen 42-45 and the main theme is "what are the necessary elements of reconciliation?". I personally don't think that the main idea of that three chapters is not about how the brothers reconcilied with Joseph. But anyway, my question is, Joseph seemed to test the brother before he accepted them and forgive them. He was trying to make sure that they had repented from their sins of ill-treated him(selling Joseph ) before he reconcilied with them. Now, does that mean that for us Christians, we don't forgive a person before he repents from what he did. Suppose a person did something bad to you, can we say that we follow the model of Joseph and don't forgive him unless he really felt sorry for what he did. Doesn't that kind of contrary to what Jesus said about how we should forgive people unconditionally (the way I understand it)? can anyone help me with this??? Thanks. I need reply before this Friday afternoon. (April 26). My email address is cs162sbn@icse3.ucsd.edu . thanks again. God bless you. Layman.