Compulsion or Compassion
Philemon 1:1-25
Introduction: Though one of the smallest books in the Bible, Philemon holds a treasure trove of spiritual instruction in practical Christian living. In his letter to Philemon, Paul strikes to the heart of true discipleship as he addresses what ought to be the motive for all of our actions as born-again believers. Compassion not compulsion should to be the rule of faith that governs our decisions and actions.
I. Forgiving out of compassion not out of compulsion
A. Onesimus had been a servant of Philemon, a wealthy Christian in Colosse. He had apparently robbed his master and fled to Rome where he met the apostle Paul. Through Paul’s ministry Onesimus came to Christ. Paul intercedingly sends him back to Philemon asking him to accept and forgive Onesimus.
B. Philemon 8-12 “Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting (required), yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you – being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ – I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart”
C. Forgiveness is at the very foundation of our Christian faith. Without forgiveness there is not one of us who would be saved and be a child of God.
D. Unfortunately, Christians can often be the most unforgiving people on earth.
E. Charles Stanley defined forgiveness as “the willingness to give up your resentment toward someone who has wronged you, regardless of how serious or painful that wrong might have been.”
F. When a person does something against us, it’s as if they have created a debt, they now owe us. When we refuse to forgive it’s as if we are expectantly waiting for them to pay us back … in fact we don’t wait, we begin to exact payment from them… we tear them down in front of others, we give them the cold shoulder, we actively inflict emotional pain on them, and we may even seek some form of revenge. – Fausel, Our Savior Lutheran Church, 0ctober 2009.
G. But as Christians we are commanded to forgive –
1. Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
2. Colossians 3:12-13 “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
H. Byron Paulus, Executive Director of the revival oriented Life Action Ministry writes that... “After reaching out to more than four million believers in 6,000 churches during the past four decades, our team of revivalists would unanimously concur that the number one problem they encounter is unforgiveness. Bitterness is rampant. Forgiveness is not.” - copied
I. Unforgiveness is like taking poison and waiting for the offending party to die!
J. Many Christians aver “I have to forgive but….”
K. Our forgiveness should not be based on obligation but on the same basis that we were forgiven by Christ – love.
L. Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.”
M. Christ forgave us not because he had to but because He loved us.
N. Luke 23:34 “Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
O. We base our forgiveness on what God has done for us, not on what another person has done to us. (Kent Crockett, The 911 Handbook, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2003, 43)
II. Serving voluntarily not reluctantly
A. Philemon 13-17 “whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave – a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.”
B. Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
C. Philippians 2:4-8 (ESV) “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
D. Paul is aware of what causes disruption in the fellowship of the Church, and he knows the divine antidote to dissension. Living in love, united in one mind with one focus, serving one another in humility of mind - this is the Spirit-given means of maintaining unity and harmony in the Christian congregation. Acting out of selfishness or boastful attitudes is the certain means of introducing disharmony and friction into the fellowship. – copied
E. Christ voluntarily and without compulsion undertook the great act of humble submission in servitude to the Father.
F. On a blood-bank poster which read: “Be a volunteer Blood Donor,” somebody had printed, “That’s the best kind.” Likewise, the best kind of workers in the Body of Christ are those who serve voluntarily not because they have had their arms twisted into service.
G. God calls and equips His people to serve voluntarily.
H. 1 Chronicles 29:9 “Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly.”
I. God does not force His people to do what they are asked to do. If you want to know real joy and to be commended by the Lord Himself and by all His people, voluntarily serve – don’t wait for someone to beg you to perform the ministry God has opened.
III. Giving cheerfully not grudgingly
A. Philemon 18-19 “But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.”
B. Paul does to Philemon what Christ did to Paul. Christ paid the price for his sins. Paul was willing to pay a price for Onesimus. He willingly endorsed a promissory note for him. The implication of what Paul says here is, “Put that on my credit card.” Paul was not guilty but he was willing to pay the price for Onesimus’ guilt. Jesus did the same for us. Christ was the sinless Savior who bore our guilt on the cross. – Copied
C. Matthew 10:18 “Freely you have received, freely give.”
D. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV) “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
E. There are three levels of giving:
1. You have to (law)
2. You ought to (obligation)
3. You want to (grace)
F. 2 Corinthians 12:14-15 “Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.”
G. We owe Christ an incalculable debt of love for which we have nothing to make payment with except our very lives and all that we have and are.
H. Romans 1:14-15 “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.”
I. “But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away—
’Tis all that I can do!” —Watts
