Jesus People: Fight for RelationshipSample

When Fighting Looks like Forgiving

When others fail me, can I stop fighting? When I’ve been wronged, can I retreat and run for the hills? Why reconcile when I can just get revenge?

In the late chapters in Genesis, we see the story of Joseph unfold. His brothers betray him. They throw him in a literal pit, and they leave him to die. His own family turned their backs on him, and tried to forget, to pretend like it never even happened.

How could you forget something like that? If you’re in Joseph’s shoes, having been sold into slavery because of your own brothers’ betrayal, how could you ever forgive a situation like that?

In chapter 50, the death of their father, Jacob, occurs, and the brothers are left in fear that Joseph’s heart is full of revenge.

For Joseph’s brothers and for us as Jesus People, here is our hope today: "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them." (Genesis 50:20-21 ESV).

Rather than having a revengeful heart, love is Joseph’s language. He hope is for their relationship to be reconciled.

There is no one who has ever, could ever, will ever be more wronged than Jesus. More harmed than Jesus. More betrayed than Jesus.

Jesus fought for relationship with you and me by going to the cross for us. Taking on sin for us. At the cross, He modeled that fighting for relationship often looks like extending forgiveness to those who we’ve been betrayed by.

Jesus People fight for relationship through forgiveness because we’ve been forgiven.

Pray - Thank Jesus for the cross. Allow Jesus to sweep your heart clean today. Ask Him who you need to reconcile with.