Be Forgetful to Be Fruitful

"And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.

"And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.

"And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." (Genesis 41: 50-52)

In yesterday's post, the Finished Work of Christ, who washes away our sins, forgotten forever by God the Father (Hebrews 8: 10-12), and thus we receive His Holy Spirit to be fruitful in all that we do (John 15: 4-5; Galatians 5: 22-23)

Scripture yields unending treasure, both old and new for the believer to receive and release in his life (Matthew 13: 52), and the blessings of Joseph's two sons are no exception.

God blessed Joseph with power (Genesis 41: 40), prestige (Genesis 41: 46-47)   and great provision (Genesis 41: 48-49).  

Now, the goodness of God leads to repentance (Romans 2: 4), and indeed through Christ we receive forgiveness of all our sins and great restoration for all that we have lost, plus much more (Romans 8: 31-32).

Yet we must grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord in order to be fruitful (2 Peter 3: 18). God wants us to prosper in our souls before we prosper in every other way (3 John 2), and this prosperity we enjoy to the degree that we know that we are forgiven, and therefore do we forgive others.

If we struggle with  unforgiveness, we frustrate the grace of God in our lives (Galatians 2: 21; 5: 4) because we do not believe that we are fully forgiven. Joseph was not bitter, but God has caused him to forget all that he had suffered. Just as Joseph left behind his former identity, so we must believe and receive that now we are Sons of God through Christ (John 1: 12; 1 John 3: 1; 4: 17)

When we both know and believe who we are in Christ, we can then abide in Him without struggle or frustration, and we are able to abound, even when we sin (Romans 5: 20)

If you find that you are not fruitful in your knowledge of Christ, meditate on the forgiveness of sins which you have received from Him, which in turn will empower you to forgive and forget all the pain and shame that you have suffered from others. Then you will be doubly fruitful, blessed and a blessing to others, all giving glory to God the Father and our Lord Jesus!