How to Forgive?

If anyone had a right to hold a grudge and get even with those who hurt him deeply, it would have been Joseph. Hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, spent time in prison, only to be released and elevated to Prime Minister of Egypt, Jospeh could have enacted revenge on is brothers when they came looking for food. But he did not. Instead, he forgave them. How? Forgiveness is an act not based on our feelings or even the size of our faith, but rather an act of obedience. We are commanded to forgive. It is a process which begins with separating the offense from the offender. We understand that the source of the offense is the old sinful nature within them and us. This does not excuse the wrong, but helps us understand why someone can be so mean, hateful, or abusive. We can then give the offense and the offender over to GOD for Him to get vengeance. This frees us to forgive the offender and to love them. That's what Joseph did--and that is what we need to do as well.