A Providential Test of True Repentance | Pastor Stephen Conley

Text:  Genesis 44 A Revealing Test of Character (Gen. 44:1-13) Joseph applies a final test to see if his brothers have truly changed. God tests our faith to reveal our character and produce steadfastness A Real Confession of Guilt (Gen. 44:14-17) Joseph's confrontational question leads to Judah's genuine confession. God was at work to expose the brothers' sin against Joseph (Gen. 37:18; 42:21-22). God graciously exposes our sin to lead us out of our sin. A Repentant Heart of Self-Sacrifice (Gen. 44:18-34) Judah proves his repentance in pleading for Benjamin and his father and offering up himself. Our repentance is proven in our submission to God and denial of self. Judah's substitution points forward to Christ's greater substitutionary atonement for our sins. Main Idea: True repentance is proven by a transformed heart that submits to God and sacrifices for others.