The Consequences Of Unforgiveness

THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNFORGIVENESS

Philemon 1:4-7

(Antioch Baptist Church: Sunday Morning June 29th, 2025)

One Sunday during his sermon, a preacher asked the congregation how many are willing to forgive their enemies. They all raised their hands except for one elderly lady in the back pew. The preacher noticed her and asked, “Mrs. Peter, why aren’t you willing to forgive your enemies?” “Well, I don’t have any,” she replied. “Mrs. Peter, you’re 96 years old and have no enemies?” No, she said. “Oh Mrs. Peter, would you please come to the front and tell us all how a person can live 96 years and not have a single enemy in the world?” The old woman went to the stage, faced the congregation, and said: “All my enemies have died.”

Chances are good that there are some people in attendance who would have to admit that you have enemies that you have not outlived. Certain people have wronged, hurt, or betrayed you and struggle with the idea of forgiving them. We have all struggled to forgive others at some point in our lives. Many times forgiveness is not easy, however, it is essential if we are to live a life that is pleasing to God. Struggling to forgive is one thing, but there is reason to question the salvation of anyone who professes to belong to Christ, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, yet possesses no desire to extend forgiveness.

Tragically, there are many people who know what the Bible says about forgiveness; they know the consequences of withholding forgiveness, but they refuse to go of the past and forgive those who have offended them.

“Unforgiveness is not a loner. It brings its friends along for the ride. If you allow unforgiveness to settle, dwell, and remain in your heart, you will experience strife, hatred, anger, bitterness, jealousy, and resentment, all of which hardens your heart toward God.” (Source: Courtney Sargent https://engagemagazine.net/starting-blog/connections/the-disease-of-unforgiveness/)

At times we have all been the recipient of forgiveness, we have been forgiven by our fellow man and ultimately, as Christians have been forgiven by God. Furthermore, as Children of God, our Father expects us to forgive others. In one of the most sobering moments of His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: “…if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

There are various examples, instructions, and commands concerning the subject of forgiveness in the Old Testament and the New. One reason that the Book of Philemon is so powerful is because it provides us with a true story that illustrates the power of personal forgiveness.

In these 25 verses we are told about a man named Philemon who lived in Colossae. Many scholars believe that Apphia was his wife and Archippus was their son. It appears that Philemon was a wealthy man. This is seen in the fact that his house was large enough to host the members of the Colossian church and we know that he owned at least one slave. That slave’s name was Onesimus.

Onesimus had rebelled and ran away from his master. It is commonly believed that he stole something from Philemon before he departed. Even if this was not the case, he legally belonged to Philemon and his departure amounted to fraud. The legal consequences for his actions involved imprisonment and possibly even death.

Onesimus likely thought that by leaving the small town of Colossae and immersing himself in the great city of Rome he would be able to live undetected among the vast population that resided there. However, God had a divine plan for this man and it was no accident that he came into contact with the Apostle Paul. Onesimus not only encountered Paul, he came face to face with grace. Paul led this runaway slave to faith in Christ.

At some point Paul learned that Onesimus belonged to his dear friend Philemon. Though he would have loved for Onesimus to remain with him in Rome, Paul knew that it was necessary for him to return to his master. As a result, Paul dipped his quill into a jar of ink and serving as an advocate for Onesimus, he implored Philemon to forgive his once rebellious slave.

We began this series by examining the spiritual transformation of Onesimus. Then we considered the importance of Christian integrity. Every Christian should exhibit honesty, honor, and integrity. When we live in such a way we will be quick to forgive and we will possess an intense desire for fractured relationships to be restored. If we fail to forgive others there will be severe consequences and various relationships will be negatively affected.

As we continue our study of this powerful letter from Paul to Philemon, I would like for us to take some time and examine: “The Consequences Of Unforgiveness”