Run From Sin

Dear Friends,

Today in Genesis 39:1-23,we learn that God is with Joseph (see v. 2, 3, 21, 23). But God being with Joseph can mean favour as well as opposition and persecution. One of the hardest things in the Christian life is to understand that the trials and difficulties which we experience are also God’s blessing on our lives. This truth comes out clearly in the life of Joseph. The difficulties he experiences lead to him being elevated to second in charge of Egypt and fulfilling the dreams he had as a 17-year-old boy. The difficulties we have will grow our character, both removing ungodliness and growing patience, perseverance and godliness.

This chapter also highlights the great pressure Joseph was under from Potiphar’s wife, who wanted him to come to bed. Joseph refused to do so, named this sin as wicked and declared that it was a sin against God. Even though Joseph was wrongly convicted, he kept his integrity and ran from sin (1 Tim 6:11).

It would be, however, incorrect to see Joseph as simply an example to follow. He is God’s leader who was faithful and his life points us to Jesus, to whom we can go to find forgiveness when we fail or give into temptation of any type. Joseph didn’t fail the test and neither did Jesus, who went to the cross for our sake that we might be delivered from evil.
God’s Blessing David O’Mara

From the AM Pastor’s Bulletin, 17 October 2021