Philemon and Forgiveness – Part II

Last week we saw why we should forgive, this week, let’s look at what forgiveness is.
Thirty years after the death of Jesus, in the town of Collase, there lived a wealthy Christian man named Philemon. Philemon owned a slave named Onesimus.At some point Onesimus escaped from Philemon, likely stealing money to pay for his journey and new life in Rome. While in Rome, through the Providence of God, Onesimus ran into Paul and was eventually converted to Christianity. The New Testament letter Philemon was written by Paul pleading with Philemon to live up to his reputation and extend mercy and forgiveness to Onesimus, now a Christian brother.
1) Forgiveness means you truly reconcile with someone. Philemon was supposed to receive Onesimus back. This would have been impossible without true reconciliation. Forgiveness is not a feeling, it is a choice that must be made. This doesn’t mean you excuse bad behavior or sin, but it does mean you reconcile with those who truly repent.

2) Reconcile the debts that must be paid. Forgiveness isn’t free. If restitution is needed, it should be paid back. But see in our example how it was ultimately Philemon who bore the cost. We cannot pay God back for his forgiveness. Sometimes the price of forgiveness is born by the one doing the forgiving.

3) Remember who the debt is really against. Ultimately sin is against our infinitely holy God. Jesus bore the consequences of sin on the cross, he paid the ultimate price so that sinful humanity could be forgiven. According to Colossians 3:13, we are to forgive because we have been forgiven.

4) Finally, forgiveness is a great way to encourage others and point them to the gospel. Philemon was known as an encourager who “refreshed” the saints in Collase. Paul reminded him that this was another opportunity to do so.

Forgiveness is never easy, but it is an essential discipline of the Christian life. If you struggle with forgiveness, look to the cross. Forgiveness is costly, but healing.

Caleb Land is the director of the Gilmer Christian Learning Center in Ellijay, GA. You can find out more about the CLC at www.gilmerclc.org.