Forgiveness is a big deal in the Christian faith! If God didn't forgive sinners, where would we be? No forgiveness, no Christian!
In fact, the Bible offers approx 75 illustrations about the importance of forgiveness. Let me give you ten; to forgive is to…
• …turn the key, open the cell door, and free the prisoner. • …is to write "nothing owed" in large letters across a bill. • …to pound the court-room gavel and shout, "not guilty!" • …to shoot an arrow so high and so far it can never be found. • …to grant full pardon to a condemned prisoner. • …to relax a stranglehold on a wrestling opponent. • …to sandblast a wall of graffete, leaving the wall good as new. • …to smash a clay pot into a thousand pieces, so it can never be pieced together again. • …to prepare a feast for a wayward son. • …is to throw a stone into the bottom of the sea.
The New Testament Letter to Philemen is about forgiveness. Let's review the letter's context:
* Philemon's slave Onesismus ran away. * Philemon's dear friend Paul was imprisoned in Rome. * Where did Onesimus wind up….? You guessed it – Rome! * Who did Onesimus find….? You guessed it – Paul! * What happened to Onesimus…? He heard the Gospel and trusted Jesus. New birth! * What did Paul ask of Philemon? To forgive his runaway slave. To accept him.
You can't forgive someone without accepting him; without restoring him. So Paul's appeal is carefully constructed to help Philemon understand the necessity and the nature of forgiving.
The ingredients of forgiveness. 1. Paul's appeal (vv.8-12) 2. Paul's restraint (vv.13-14) 3. Paul's theology (vv.15-16) 4. Paul's commitment (vv.17-18)
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