The Activity of Forgiveness
Philemon 8-18
A successful Irish boxer was converted and became a preacher. He happened to be in a new town setting up his evangelistic tent when a couple of thugs noticed what he was doing. Knowing nothing of his background, they made a few insulting remarks. The preacher turned and looked at them, not saying a word. Pressing his luck one of the thugs took a swing and struck a glancing blow on one side of the ex-boxer’s jaw. The preacher shook it off and said nothing again as he stuck out his jaw. The fellow took another glancing blow on the other side. At that point the preacher took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and said, “The Lord gave me no other instructions.”
I pray I never find myself in that situation…again.
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.
Philemon 1:8; “For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right,”
But it is the appeal of love to which these principles are to be applied.
Philemon 1:9; “I appeal, instead, on the basis of love.”
· Cold indifference that mechanically work the principles is not what God has in mind when we are called upon to forgive.
· Forgiveness is “sacred” ground for it is God’s most astonishing response to human sin.
· In His love for us He sent His son to die for us in order that He might forgive us.
· Forgiveness cannot be forced … it must come by way of love.
Paul again reminds Philemon of his status ... a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Not a prisoner of 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.
I. The Activity of Forgiveness brings Reception
Philemon 10-14 “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 me. I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart.”
· To "receive" means to take to oneself ... open your life ... take the person back in.
· In this instance 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 between these two now brothers in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 “Now everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.”
Why should Philemon receive Onesimus back?
· Onesimus was Repentant ... he was there seeking forgiveness from his master.\
· Onesimus was Transformed ... saved and now a brother in Christ.
· Onesimus was now Useful ... Onesimus (nickname "useful")
We must understand that not everyone that sins against us will be repentant and you cannot force anyone to repent or receive your forgiveness. In these instances we can either stop forgiving or proceed with the course of forgiveness.
We also need to be reminded Christ went on without us … “while we were still sinners Christ died for us!” Romans 5:8)
II. The Activity of Forgiveness brings Restoration
Philemon 15-17; “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.”
· From reconciliation we go onto restoration.
· To restore means to put back into service.
· It calls for "trust."
· Forgiveness is not about putting someone on probation.
· Paul is verifying the truth that Onesimus can be trusted. That’s why Paul says to receive Onesimus as you would me.
Paul suggests that in all that has taken place, 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 took 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 of those who love God; those who are the called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
Notice 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, David’s son had killed his half brother Amon (for raping his sister), he 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.”
· For two years David 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; “Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted.”
III. The Activity of Forgiveness brings Restitution
Philemon 18; “But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.”
· The third action of forgiveness is "restitution."
· Restitution is the act of making good or compensating for loss.
· A loss had been dealt to Philemon and the wrong needed to be made right.
- Onesimus had taken what was not his
- 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,
· Fruits are a means of repayment/restitution
· Restitution is seen in the life of Jesus.
· Jesus giving 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 to Philemon. That’s one reason why Paul sends Onesimus back. Now consider the scene ... Philemon is reading the letter Paul has written and given to him by Tychicus and while he is reading the letter Onesimus is possibly standing in front of him. The very 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 a debt and that he also had no way of repaying this debt.
· Paul is saying, "I will be Onesimus’ restitution." ... "I will pay the price for him."
You get where I am headed with this? 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."
There are times repayment is fine ... but there are those times we are to pay the price of restitution ourselves and forgive.
Total forgiveness is an act of God in us.
Before we close this message on forgiveness and have a time for us to respond, 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 us 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?
Once President Lincoln was asked how he was going to treat the rebellious Southerners when they had finally been defeated and returned to the Union of the United States. The questioner expected that Lincoln would take a dire vengeance, but he answered, “I will treat them as if they had never been away.”
This is the way God treats us as He offers forgiveness.
Forgiveness truly is a sacred ground.
