Ladies, we might be Sisters Who Care, but for most of us, forgiveness is a difficult issue. However, it is a very important issue. When we don’t forgive, bitterness creeps in and poisons every relationship and aspect of our lives.
Before reading today’s devotional, pray with me:
**Lord Jesus, please open my heart and mind to Your Word and Spirit. Please, block all distractions and outside issues so that I may settle this are of my life. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
Paul writes the following letter – what we know as the book of Philemon – from jail. He is writing to Philemon, who is known as a Believer who ministers to the household of faith.
Onesimus, Philemon’s slave, stole from Philemon and ran away. He ran to Rome where he met Paul and became a Believer. The Book of Philemon is a letter from Paul to Philemon asking him to forgive Onesimus and welcome him back as a fellow Believer. He does not ask Philemon to free Onesimus, but to forgive him and not punish him for his thievery and running away.
Philemon 1:1-25 (HCSB)
THE APOSTLE'S JOY AND PRAISE FOR PHILEMON'S STEADY FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS, AND LOVE TO ALL THE SAINTS
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, our brother: To Philemon, our dear friend and co-worker,
2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house.
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers,
5 because I hear of your love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints.
6 [I pray] that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for [the glory of] Christ.
7 For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
HE RECOMMENDS ONESIMUS AS ONE WHO WOULD MAKE RICH AMENDS FOR THE MISCONDUCT OF WHICH HE HAD BEEN GUILTY
8 For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right,
9 I appeal, instead, on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an elderly man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus,
10 appeal to you for my child, whom I fathered while in chains—Onesimus.
11 Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful to both you and me.
12 I am sending him—a part of myself—back to you.
13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place.
14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will.
AND ON BEHALF OF WHOM THE APOSTLE PROMISES TO MAKE UP ANY LOSS PHILEMON HAD SUSTAINED
15 For perhaps this is why he was separated [from you] for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently,
16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. This is especially so to me, but even more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me a partner, accept him as you would me.
18 And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.
19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self.
20 Yes, brother, may I have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
22 But meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
SALUTATIONS AND A BLESSING
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, and so do
24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
What would induce a Believer to refuse to forgive?
Fear will keep me from forgiving.
Fear of being vulnerable. Forgiveness makes me vulnerable to being hurt again.
Fear of appearances. Forgiveness might make me look weak to others.
Fear of pain. Forgiveness might make me feel again.
Forgiveness will set me free!
Free from bitterness which will enslave me.
Free from the chains of acting the way I “think that I should” if I am angry.
Free to love freely and be loved and forgiven by my Heavenly Father.
Jesus said – after teaching the Disciples the Model Prayer -
Matthew 6:14-15 (HCSB)
14 “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well.
15 But if you don’t forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing.
That’s heavy. If I don’t forgive people, God will not forgive me.
Jesus taught much about forgiveness. Once while eating in the home of a Pharisee, a woman came in and anointed Jesus’ feet with oil and washed them with her tears. The Pharisees were very critical of Jesus’ allowing the woman to touch Him. Jesus told them the story of two debtors who were forgiven by the same creditor. One owed much more than the other one. Jesus asked Simon which debtor would love more. Simon replied – the one who was forgiven the most. (Mark 14)
When we refuse to forgive, we become like the Pharisees – self-righteous and pious.
When we think of others’ sins in light of what Jesus has done for us, it is difficult to hold a grudge.
Ephesians 4:32 (HCSB)
32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
Why does God forgive us? Because of what Jesus did. Not because of anything that we have done, but because Jesus lived a sinless life and suffered a cruel death on a cross for our sins. How can I refuse to forgive in light of that sacrifice? I am not worthy of God’s forgiveness, yet He offers it to me freely and without price because of Jesus.
Why do we forgive? For Jesus’ sake. Not because the person has asked our forgiveness – because most won’t. Not because the person has done penitence – because that’s not going to happen and shouldn’t. Not because we “feel” benevolent – because we may never “feel” like forgiving.
We choose to forgive because Christ forgives us – over and over and over and over and…
1 John 1:9 (HCSB)
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Did Jesus command us to forgive because He knew it would be hard?
No. We are commanded to forgive for our own spiritual health and well-being. We can only live abundant, free lives in Christ when we forgive our brothers as He has forgiven us.
**Lord Jesus, I forgive ______________. I release them from this debt because You have freed me from my debt to You. Oh, How I love You, Lord. Who am I to hold sin against another? I love You, Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.
There’s no guarantee that this person won’t do you something else. There’s no guarantee that you won’t be right back here tomorrow praying to forgive them again. But it’s ok. Jesus forgives us over and over so we can do the same for others.
Have a great day! Walk in the Lord!
We love Him because He first loved us!
