In this study of forgiveness we have seen with scriptural support the 3 principles of forgiveness ...
1. Forgive those who sin against you.
2. Forgive and be forgiven.
3. If you don’t forgive you won’t be forgiven.
At first glance these rules can seem cold and hard ... because scriptures show that forgiveness is mandated.
But it is the appeal of love to which the principles are to be applied. Cold indifference to mechanically work the principles is not what God has in mind when we are called upon to forgive.
Love is to the bases for these principles ... for it is through love God forgives us.
Philemon 1:8-18 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 9 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;
Paul takes the higher ground of love rather than compulsion and mechanical keeping of the Law. He speaks to the Spirit life of love. Forgiveness cannot be forced … it must come by way of love.
Paul reminded Philemon of his status ... a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Not Rome ... who would be most unforgiving ... but a prisoner a Jesus Christ ... the One who had forgiven him. The reception, restoration, and restitution of forgiveness was made possible through the life action of Jesus Christ.
1. The Action of Forgiveness: Reception (10-14)
Philemon 10-14 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
§ To "receive" means to take to oneself ... open your life ... take the person back in.
§ Receive takes on the terms of fellowship.
§ Paul was asking Philemon to do more than just put up with Onesimus.
§ Paul was asking Philemon to close the gap, heal the wound ... through forgiveness.
§ Reconciliation was needed.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
§ Why receive Onesimus back?
1. Repentant ... he was there seeking forgiveness from his master.
2. Transformed ... saved and now a brother in Christ.
3. Useful ... Onesimus (nickname "useful") (Paul & John Mark ... Acts 15:37-39,
Paul knew the indifference that can separate ... He and Barnabus went their separate ways over a young man named "John Mark." (Acts 15:37-38) It was later that Paul was reconciled to John Mark and found him useful in friendship and ministry.
Colossians 4:10-11 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
I understand that not all who sin against you will be repentant and transformed ... and may never prove useful to you. However we are to be people who have received forgiveness and in turn those who give forgiveness. After all did God wait until we were repentant, transformed, and useful to Him before forgiving us? No! The Cross is His statement of forgiveness ... while we were still sinners Christ died for us! (Rom 5:8)
Let us receive those who have sinned against us in the form of forgiveness.
2. The Action of Forgiveness: Restoration (15-17)
Philemon 15-17 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 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. 17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.
§ From reconciliation we go onto restoration.
§ To restore means to put back into service.
§ It calls for "trust."
§ Paul is verifying the truth that Onesimus can be trusted ... that’s why Paul says to receive as you would me.
Paul suggests that in all that has transpired God is at work behind the scene of it all. Do you believe that? By that I am not suggesting that God caused Onesimus to steal and run away. But think about the events that take place ... after running away to Rome .... Onesimus runs into Paul and is led to salvation in Jesus Christ. We see the truth of God’s providential hand at work.
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Take note that verse 29 says were are being conformed to the image of Christ. One of the many images of Christ that is to be in us is the image of forgiveness ... "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
The story of David and Absalom fits so well at this point. After Absalom had killed his half brother Amon for raping his sister, fled in fear of his father. Joab the Commander in Chief of David’s army was striving for reconciliation between the two and convinced David to receive the young man back. David did, but there was no restoration.
2 Samuel 14:24 And the king said, "Let him return to his own house, but do not let him see my face." So Absalom returned to his own house, but did not see the king’s face.
2 Samuel 14:28 And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, but did not see the king’s face.
§ David for two years refused to see his own son!
§ David was merely tolerating the presence and person of Absalom.
§ David was widening the gap rather than closing it by not forgiving him and restoring Absalom.
James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
How are we doing in our broken relationships ... be they home, work or play? Are we forgiving and healing or unforgiving and only tolerating?
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Forgiveness calls for reception and restoration.
3. The Action of Forgiveness: Restitution (18)
Philemon 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.
The third actions of forgiveness is "restitution."
§ Restitution is the act of making good or compensating for loss.
§ A loss had be dealt to Philemon and the wrong needed to be made right.
a. Onesimus had taken what was not his.
b. Onesimus had forced Philemon to replace his labor.
§ Philemon had the right to expect repayment ... that would be "justice."
§ Restitution is essential to forgiveness taking place.
Matthew 3:8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
a. Fruits are a means of repayment/restitution
§ Restitution is seen in the life of Jesus.
§ Jesus giving of His life made Him our restitution ... our payment against sin.
§ Jesus is our restitution ... our being made right with God ... righteousness.
Now the story from this point becomes interesting. Paul understands that Onesimus needs to make restitution for the wrong he has done Philemon ... that’s one reason why Paul sends him back. Now consider the scene ... Philemon is reading the letter Paul has penned ... given to him by Tychicus and there stands Onesimus. The one Paul is seeking forgiveness for.
§ Paul says if Onesimus owes Philemon anything ... and he knows he does ... put it on my bill.
§ Paul knew Onesimus owed and that he also had no way to repay.
§ Paul is saying ... "I will be Onesimus’ restitution." ... "I will pay the price on him."
§ You know where this is headed ... don’t you!
§ In the wrongs done to us ... we have the right to expect repayment ... that is justice and God is just.
§ But God is also merciful and gracious toward us ... and He proved the price of restitution through Christ.
§ Paul is suggesting to Philemon ... "Why don’t you graciously and totally forgive Onesimus and wipe the debt clean ... heal the wound ... bridge the gap."
Remember ... "We are never more like God than when we forgive." I heard this past week, "We are never more like Christ than when we carry the debt so forgiveness can take place." - John MacArthur
§ There are times repayment is fine ... but there are those times we are to pay the price of restitution ourselves and forgive.
§ Sheer and total forgiveness is an act of God in you.
Conclusion:
Forgiveness in action will make reception, restoration and restitution. It takes all three for forgiveness to work .... otherwise it is a "putting up" with in toleration.
But before I close this message of forgiveness we need to be aware just as there are actions for forgiveness to take place there are actions that take place when we fail to forgive.
§ To not forgive Imprisons to the Past … keeps the pain alive, the sore open, stirs up anger
§ To not forgive Produces Bitterness … occupies thinking, shapes personality, defiles many.
§ To not forgive opens the door for Satan ... who comes to steal, kill and destroy you.
§ To not forgive Hinders Fellowship with God ... which hinders fellowship with man.
As Paul advised Philemon ... we don’t want to go there!
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Amen!
