The Importance of Forgiveness.
Part 2
The Attribute of Forgiveness
Philemon 1:1-7
I enjoy reading John MacArthur. He makes a very interesting comment regarding the topic of forgiveness; "We live obviously in a society that knows little about forgiveness. We live in a society that cares little about forgiveness. In fact I would think that one of the major contributors if not the major contributor to the destruction of relationships in our culture is the absence of forgiveness."
Last week we began a series of messages on the topic of forgiveness. I often make this comment while preaching messages on evangelism but this topic puts each and every one of us in a very dangerous position just like every other Biblical topic; when we hear the truth of God’s Word, we must respond. So to hear (or read) this message on forgiveness we must deal with areas of unforgiveness in our own lives.
We notice in our introduction of this series…3 Principles of Forgiveness
· Principle 1: Forgive those who sin against us.
· Principle 2: Forgive and be forgiven.
· Principle 3: Don’t forgive and you won’t be forgiven.
Also at the close of last weeks message we took a brief look at the book and person of Philemon and the situation he found himself in.
· Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, had stolen from him and ran away to the city of Rome.
· While in Rome, Onesimus came across the apostle Paul and was led to salvation in Christ Jesus.
· Now Paul is sending this saved slave back to his owner with a letter asking him to forgive and receive Onesimus back.
Many of us have the wrong idea of forgiveness. Forgiveness is not a matter of over looking the wrong that has been done, but rather dealing with it so both parties can move on. If you were in this situation that Philemon was in, how would you handle it? Would you forgive or withhold forgiveness based upon the facts and the hurt done to you?
Paul had already written much about forgiveness in his prison letters to the Ephesians and Colossians.
· We have forgiveness of sins in Christ Jesus… Eph 1:7, Col 1:14
· We must forgive others as God has forgiven us… Eph 4:32
· We are made alive in Christ through the forgiveness of our trespasses… Col 2:13
· We should bear with one another and forgive one another… Col 3:13
Notice of the pattern Paul uses. He reminds us our forgiveness in Christ Jesus and then asks that we forgive. To understand we have been forgiven and then to seek to forgive speaks of the attribute of forgiveness
How you forgive has something to say about your attributes or how you are. An attribute is a distinguishing feature or character of an individual.
Forgiveness and the godly ability to forgive is forged out of the adversity of being insulted and injured from the injustices of this life.
Romans 5:3-5; “And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was give to us.”
I. The Attribute of Forgiveness Labors (1-3)
Philemon 1-3; “Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, our brother: To Philemon, our dear friend and co-worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul often identifies himself as a "prisoner" or a “bond servant” of Christ Jesus. Paul was not living life on his own; he had a Master, and that Master was Christ Jesus. His life was not his own but Christ’s.
The first character of forgiveness is it "labors."
He reminds Philemon of the laboring character that was visible in him. Philemon was a "co-laborer" who was working the same work as Paul. Their lives were to be entwined with the business of the Father.
· At a young age Jesus told his mother; "I must be about my Father’s business." (Luke 2:49) And then later on while paying the greatest cost for our sins
· Jesus on the cross announced; "Father forgive them …" (Luke 23:34)
The earthly ministry of Jesus was to finish the work of redemption, reconciliation and the offer of forgiveness to a sinful world.
So the attribute of a child of God must also be that of forgiveness.
A man in conversation with John Wesley once made the comment, "I never forgive." Wesley wisely replied, "Then, sir, I hope that you never sin."
Those who learn to forgive are those who have experienced God’s grace and peace. God’s grace toward us forgives us and His peace allows us to know we are forgiven.
We … who have this attribute of God born in us … need to be laboring in the Father’s business of forgiveness.
Forgiveness labors to do the work of God.
II. The Attribute of Forgiveness Loves 4-5
Philemon 4-5; “I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints.”
· Paul states that he thanks God for the good and positive things he is hearing about Philemon.
· As a child of the living God you have a testimony. It does not matter whether you were saved as a young child or later in life. You have a testimony
· My dear friend, not only is a testimony not just something we say or give, but also our testimony is what others have to say about us.
Paul identifies the second character of forgiveness as "love." Philemon was a man who loved God and others by faith.
· We forgive in the degree we love.
· Paul says he had been “hearing” of this man’s testimony.
· Philemon had become a living testimony of love and faith.
· The word used here for love is the word “agape” which mean selfless, self-sacrificing love.
· This type of love is best exemplified by God’s love toward us.
· Philemon’s love was bi-directional; love toward God and love toward man.
· Philemon had a real concern about people. When you have this type of concern and love it is easier to forgive.
III. The Attribute of Forgiveness Participates
Philemon 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.”
· Philemon had a real faith in the Lord.
· He desired fellowship with others.
The Church possibly met in Philemon’s home. It would not be uncommon for strangers to come to their services where they were received with an open heart and hand. Paul identified Philemon’s sincere desire to share and fellowship with others …therefore the message of the Gospel needed to be real at all points especially toward Onesimus.
It is faith that allows one to share with others. And it is our faith that allows us to share the message of the Gospel with others.
· How can we share the message of Christ … "the forgiveness of sins" … if we can’t forgive?
Paul uses two key words here:
· effective means; active, operative, powerful
· knowing means; full discernment and understanding of the good things in Christ Jesus.
· Philemon’s willingness to forgive would be based on his knowledge of his own forgiveness.
IV. The Attribute of Forgiveness Refreshes (7)
Philemon 7; “For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.”
· "refreshed" means to give rest, be at ease
· Paul rejoiced in the fact that others would find "rest" … as well as Onesimus through Philemon.
· It is much easier to fix blame than to fix problems.
· Paul was asking Philemon to offer refreshment … rest and ease … to Onesimus.
· Forgiveness truly refreshes the body, mind and soul.
I remember back in about 1987 while working at Coca Cola as a route driver, during the months of July and August it went over 30 days in the high 90’s or 100’s. And to top that off it hadn’t rained in some time. It was miserable that summer. Many drivers, including myself had to be taken to the hospital with heat exhaustation. Heat exhaustation is not a pleasant thing to have. Not only are you violantly ill your mind plays tricks on you as well.
I will never forget one afternoon all the route drivers pulled up about the same time, and once again it was hot. Someone pointed out a black cloud that was right over the warehouse. About this time it began to pour down. For the first few minutes it was not all that pleasant; steam was coming up off the parking lot. But in a while it began to be refreshing.
I’ll never forget how wonderful this rain felt. Some of the drivers just stood out in the rain and enjoyed it. Some that had more energy acted a little more crazy and ran around and splashed in the puddles that began to form in the low spots. We looked like a bunch of little kids. But it was refreshing!!!
Forgiveness is somewhat like this. When we approach someone and especially God when we have wronged and sinned against them, seeking forgiveness, at first it is not the most comfortable place. But when forgiveness is bestowed upon us, it refreshes us.
The Attribute of Forgiveness Labors … It labors in God’s work to forgive and be forgiven.
The Attribute of Forgiveness Loves … It looks beyond the transgression.
