An Attitude of Forgiveness

An Attitude of Forgiveness

Gen 50:14-22 NLT - [14] Then Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father's funeral. [15] But now that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers became afraid. "Now Joseph will pay us back for all the evil we did to him," they said. [16] So they sent this message to Joseph: "Before your father died, he instructed us [17] to say to you: `Forgive your brothers for the great evil they did to you.' So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive us." When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. [18] Then his brothers came and bowed low before him. "We are your slaves," they said. [19] But Joseph told them, "Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? [20] As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people. [21] No, don't be afraid. Indeed, I myself will take care of you and your families." And he spoke very kindly to them, reassuring them. [22] So Joseph and his brothers and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph was 110 years old when he died.

Biblical forgiveness is one of the foundations of Christianity. Forgiveness between human beings is an extension of God's own forgiveness of our sins. That is why Christ says that, “if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt. 6.15). I have seen people hold grudges until the day that they die. Both parties usually end up miserable: one person because they have learned to feed off and harbor resentment, and the other because they must live with the unforgiveness of their brother or sister.

As Christians, we must put forgiveness into practice. There are fewer greater examples than the incredible act of forgiveness Joseph demonstrates to his brothers. After Joseph's brothers steal his robe, throw him in a pit, and sell him into slavery to the Ishmaelites, Joseph shows compassion by “[taking] care of [his brothers] and [their] families.” Joseph not only forgives his brothers, but sustains them and lives with them for the rest of their lives. What a dramatic display of love!

This story ought to make us realize the keystone to Christian forgiveness: unconditional love. In order for our forgiveness to be unconditional, we must learn to have unconditional love. If we do not, our emotions will steer us to resentment. An unforgiving character can become a security blanket to many people, by which they cling tightly to it whenever they feel they are not getting what they deserve or have been wronged. They may even pass the person they ought to have forgiven on the street and smile inside, thinking, “Serves them right. I'm not ready to forgive them yet. They haven't suffered enough.”

But Christian forgiveness cares not about satisfying our harmed emotions. It is not a pity party by which we can prove we were right and the other party was wrong. Joseph's act of forgiveness does not dwell on his brothers' past wrongdoings. Instead, he says that “God turned into good what [his brothers] meant for evil.” While Joseph's brothers expected him to “pay [them] back for all the evil [they] did to him,” Joseph pays them in love and in mercy.

Beloved, let us live in such an attitude of forgiveness. If you have someone in your life you need to forgive, forgive them. Do not hold any grudges. Life is miserable when we harbor bitterness. Instead, allow the love that ransomed you from sin ransom your brother or sister from their wrongs against you. Amen.

With love in Christ,



Austin Aldrich