Can’t We All Just Get Along?

The Old Testament story of Joseph has always been one of my favorite stories. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, sentenced to prison for a crime he did not commit, and was troubled on every side, but God was with Joseph in every trial and brought him through every struggle. Joseph stayed true to God and His Word. God used Joseph to save many people including his brethren from a great famine. Joseph trusted God when faced with extreme adversity from the ones who should have been looking after him. Joseph exhibited a big faith in a great God. This is one of the feel-good stories of the Old Testament, but it goes so much deeper than a great story. This story is a beautiful picture of forgiveness and grace. 

Joseph could have hated his brothers for the injustice they subjected him to yet, instead, Joseph chose to forgive. Many times in our lives we struggle to get along with others because of the things that they have done to us. So if our thoughts take us to this place, unforgiveness is reigning in our hearts. Our unforgiveness is coming between us and that other person.

The disciples were struggling with this too. In Matthew 18:21-22 we read, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” When unforgiveness is in our hearts, we often guard ourselves by saying, “You have no idea what this person has done to me!” You would be correct in that, I don’t know. In these verses, Jesus did not give a stipulation on the circumstances. He said to just keep forgiving. It involves getting out of our way and being willing to give up our right to be offended. Pride can be a quicksand pit on the road to forgiveness. If we want to be free of our hurt, the only way to turn it over to God is through the avenue of forgiveness. This person may have hurt you over and over. Forgiveness is not waiting for offense nuber four hundred, ninety-one, and then putting the hammer down on them. The principle is to keep forgiving. I have been where you are and it has been a hard-learned lesson. When I see others struggling to forgive, I know of the freedom that is waiting on those who are willing to surrender their will to Father God in the area of forgiveness.

Joseph could have retaliated against his brothers once he became in a position of power, but Joseph trusted God and showed mercy and grace instead. (Genesis 50:20-21) God tells us to love as He does. When God’s love is flowing through me, it can be extended to others. Only my unwillingness can stop that flow of love. The power to get along with others begins and ends with us. You may find at some point you try to follow these things and the other person does not want to be right with you. It happens. You can’t control what others feel about you, but you can continue to forgive and continue to love because it is what God requires of you. When you know you have done your best and Christ is pleased with your effort there is freedom and a peace that is beyond understanding, then you can let them go continuing to pray for them and reconciliation to come one day. We will never be sorry for following God and extending forgiveness and grace. We may not always be able to get along with everyone, but we can choose to always extend grace!