P2 How forgiveness is the key to accessing God's power for daily living

Philemon 1:25 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit."

Introduction:

Yesterday we began considering how forgiveness functions as a key for the Christian gaining access to daily empowerment for godly living. We noted yesterday how God's grace is like a door through which one enters to gain access to all of God's power and presence. For the Christian, nearly every day is filled with opportunities to choose forgiveness or the taking up of offense. Each time we turn the key of forgiveness, we walk through the grace God grants to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells the Christian in their human spirit. Not only does He so desire the Christian to walk in His power and presence, but He so desires to walk forth in the Christian. Paul reference to Philemon's spirit indicates the arena in which he expected God's grace and power to operate once Philemon forgave Onesimus. Today we continue on looking at the relationship between forgiveness and the experience of God's power for daily living. 

How forgiveness is closely connected to texts that teach on God's power in the Christian life

When forgiveness is regularly practiced by the Christian, the doorway of the grace of the Spirit-filled life is immediately accessed. I find it interesting that in key New Testament passages where the Spirit-empowered, Spirit-filled life is mentioned, forgiveness is close by. For example, Romans 15:7 states: "Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God." This verse is another way of expressing what we find in forgiveness passages such as Colossians 3:13 and Ephesians 4:32, wherein we read in both those texts: "forgive as the Lord forgave you". It is not even several verses later that we find Paul mentioning in Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Within the human spirit of the Christian the Holy Spirit indwells. The Holy Spirit so desires to work forth His power in my life. However, when faced with the prospect of holding onto bitterness or exercising forgiveness - which will I choose? By accepting one another or forgiving one another as God in Christ accepted and forgave us in salvation, we gain access to His power.

We could go on noting how other key passages connect this key of forgiveness to the graceful doorway of God's power. Galatians 5:13-15 is warning people to not operate in unforgiveness, since the urgency of the Spirit's leading is commanded in Galatians 5:16. Ephesians 4:32 urges forgiveness and in the same context, we find the command given in Ephesians 5:18 to be "filled with the Holy Spirit". Or consider Colossians 3:13, wherefore the Christian is to "forgive as the Lord forgave", and then find the principle of the Spirit-filled life spelled out in Colossians 3:16-17. The Apostle Peter includes within his teaching on the Spirit-empowered life in 2 Peter 1:4-11 the practice of "exercising brotherly-kindness" in 2 Peter 1:7. Again, the key of forgiveness is needed to access the doorway of grace placed before the Christian, behind which lies the treasures of living and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Why forgiveness was necessary for Philemon and why it is necessary for the Christian to regularly access the power of the Holy Spirit for daily living

As we return back to Philemon 1:25, we can see why Paul closed out his short letter to Philemon the way he did. Paul was not only eager to see Philemon walk in the power of the Spirit, he was confident that Philemon would follow through in forgiving Onesimus (compare Philemon 1:21). For Philemon to enjoy the grace or power of God working forth in his human spirit, he needed to forgive. In what we have noted in other New Testament passages, Christians today need to regularly practice forgiveness if they expect to walk forth in the power of the Holy Spirit. Too often, we as Christian walk in defeat or live mediocre Christian lives due to the fact of retaining bitterness for the offenses we take up in the course of life. If we will but take God at His word and forgive as He forgave us, the doorway of grace He places before us to walk in and commune with the Holy Spirit residing in our human spirit will be readily accessible. Forgiveness is the key we need to turn to access His power for daily living.  

P1 How forgiveness is the key to accessing God's power for daily living

Philemon 1:25  "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit."

Introduction:

Today's post is going to deal with how the Christian can access God's power in daily living through forgiveness. The opening verse above closes out Paul's short letter to Philemon. In that letter we find the overarching theme of "forgiveness". One could refer to this book of the Bible as "The Book of Forgiveness". As Paul made his appeal to Philemon to forgive a former runaway slave Onesimus, he noted in his closing remarks his desire to see God's grace operating within Philemon's spirit. 

"Grace" is God doing for us what we could never do for ourselves. Grace is the sum total of God's power toward us. When reference is made to "spirit", it is Paul referring to the "human spirit" within Philemon. Passages such as Hebrews 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23 speak of human beings as three-part beings: namely, we are a living soul, containing a spirit and all housed within a body. The "spirit" of a man is that person's innermost being. The human spirit is one's center of "God-awareness". In non-Christian people, the human spirit is vacant, devoid of the operations of God. Passages such as Ephesians 2:1-2 refer to unbelievers as "spiritually dead". However, at salvation, the Divine Person of the Holy Spirit "moves into" the person's human spirit. Faith springs forth to receive the work of redemption paid for by Jesus Christ, and thus the Holy Spirit resides within the spirit of a man or woman surrendered in saving faith (see Romans 8:14-16; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 3:16; 6:19-20). Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom and power to operate and live out the will of God (Romans 8:1-5). 

These introductory remarks lead us to consider how forgiveness gains access to living forth in the power of God. Grace, as we mentioned, is the sum total of God's power as brought to us by the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness is the key and the human spirit is the arena of the Holy Spirit's activity. Why would Paul close out his letter indicating his desire to see God's grace operating in full measure in Philemon's spirit? It all has to do with forgiveness being that crucial key to accessing the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Illustrating how forgiveness is the key to unlocking the power of the Holy Spirit.

At our home we have an interior door that we deadbolt and lock at night that functions as our main entryway into our kitchen and our home. Once that door is unlocked, one can enter into the kitchen and really the entire home. When we consider God's grace, God's grace is the door that is placed before us to enter into all the riches of His power and presence. At salvation, God's grace is placed before the sinner, with the faith being the key to access and enter through that door (Ephesians 2:8-9). The power of God is presented and access at saving faith through the gospel (Romans 1:16). 

In the post-conversion Christian life, we still find God's grace in the filling ministry of the Holy Spirit placed before the Christian (Ephesians 5:18). When we talk of the Holy Spirit's filling ministry, we are referring to the guiding ministry of the Spirit that leads to greater obedience, Christ-likeness and empowerment for Godly living (Romans 8:1-5; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 5:18; Colossians 3:16). How is it that the Christian enjoys the power of God in daily living as expressed in the Spirit-filled life? Certainly the key of faith, but there is a second key - obedience (Acts 4:32). Whenever the Christian consistently aims to do the known will of God and to walk out the measure of grace given to them, the power of the Holy Spirit in guidance and leading is granted (Galatians 5:16, 21-25). 

So now when we see God's doorway of grace placed before Philemon in Philemon 1:25, the question is: how is Philemon urged to access God's power? We know Paul is desiring to see God's power (i.e God's grace) operating in greater measure in Philemon's life. There are the keys of faith and obedience which Philemon has in his possession, as spelled out by the description Paul gives of Philemon's robust Christian testimony in Philemon 1:4-7. Yet, there is a third key that not only Philemon needs to access this particular door of grace, but really every Christian must have to unleash God's power in their lives: namely the key of forgiveness. 

More tomorrow........

P3 The freeing benefits of forgiveness: The freedom to pray and to walk in God's power

Philemon 1:8-9 "Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus."

Introduction: 

Two days ago we began considering the freeing benefits of forgiveness. We first noted how forgiveness frees one from walking in offense or bitterness . When we walk in offense, we grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30-31) and operate under a closed heaven. We find ourselves walking around with the feeling of rejection and increasing levels of never being satisfied. Only forgiving as the Lord forgave us can free us from such a prison. Then in yesterday's post we considered how forgiveness frees us to enjoy God's forgiveness. God's forgiveness of the believer in Christ provides the logic of forgiveness (see Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32). The "logic of Calvary" is the only way in which we can see forgiveness go from being a duty to delight. In today's post I wanted to deal with two final refreshing benefits of forgiveness, namely how forgiveness frees us up in our prayer-life and thus to walk in the power of the Spirit.  

Forgiveness grants freedom to pray. Philemon 1:21-22
Paul indicates his confidence in Philemon's response to his appeal in verse 21. He also indicates in verse 22 that Philemon is a praying man, since Paul's hope to see Philemon is predicated on Philemon's prayers for his release (Paul was imprisoned). It is no accident then that the confidence of Philemon forgiving Onesimus and mention of Philemon as a man of prayer are linked together. 

Anytime we forgive, our prayer-life is freed from the shackles imposed by a bitter heart. James 4:1-3 warns what happens when unforgiveness clashes with our prayer-life - "What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain;so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." The freedom of forgiveness setting our prayer-life free is illustrated in Colossians 3:13-15 "bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful."

Forgiveness grants freedom to operate in God's power. Philemon 1:20-25

We read in Philemon 1:20-25 "Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. 22 At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you. 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." The refreshment that comes from forgiveness frees the Christian to put down offenses, enjoy God's forgiveness and to pray. But how about walking in the power of the Spirit? You and I dear friend have been called by God to not only walk by faith and walk by the Word but to also walk in the power of the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-17 and 25 state - "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 25 "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."

Closing thoughts
We've spent the last several days considering the refreshing benefits of forgiveness. We saw how forgiveness frees us to put down offenses, enjoy God's forgiveness, pray and walk in the power of the Spirit. May we take to heart what the Spirit of God intended Paul to write in "The Book of Forgiveness" - Philemon. 

P2 The freeing benefits of forgiveness - Freedom to enjoy God's forgiveness

Philemon 1:8-9 "Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus."

Introduction: 

For the last two days we have been considering the freeing benefits of forgiveness. We noted how forgiveness frees one from walking in offense or bitterness. When we walk in offense, we grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30-31) and operate under a closed heaven. We find ourselves walking around with the feeling of rejection and increasing levels of never being satisfied. Only forgiving as the Lord forgave us can free us from such a prison. In today's post I wanted to deal with how forgiveness frees us to enjoy God's forgiveness.

Freedom to enjoy God's forgiveness. Philemon 1:16-19

Often times I think Christians forget how awesome God's forgiveness truly is in their lives. I say this a matter of experience. It takes episodes in my life of having to exercise forgiveness whereby I'm caused to once again see God's forgiveness in a fresh way. Paul notes to Philemon in 1:15-16 "For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back 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." God's providence was clearly at work in Philemon's life and Onesimus. 

Onesimus' freely ran away from his master, having stolen from him. He then ended up in prison, only to come across Paul, whom God used to lead Onesimus to saving faith. Meanwhile Philemon has space and time to deal with what was going on in his heart toward Onesimus. Whatever exactly Paul meant by these remarks, it is clear that the time was ripe for Paul to make the appeal for forgiveness. It is assumed that Philemon himself might had been converted under Paul's ministry. Taking him back to those tender days would cause him to see God's forgiveness anew.

Then we read this comment in Philemon 1:17-18 "If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account." The precious doctrine of justification by faith is illustrated in this passage, namely the teaching that in saving faith, God no-longer credits us with the guilt and just-punishment due to our sins, but rather credits us with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. God's forgiveness orbits around justification. Jesus Christ, on the cross, was credited with my sin, guilt and shame and treated as if He had been me, so that I at saving faith could be credited with His innocence, perfect obedience and righteousness (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). To realize that as a Christian, I stand relationally and legally in the right with God is truly comforting. Paul's allusion to these truths is especially seen wherein he tells Philemon that he can "charge him" with the cost of whatever former debts Onesimus may had accrued. 

So forgiveness frees me to put down offenses (Philemon 1:10-14) and to enjoy anew God's forgiveness (Philemon 1:15-19). Tomorrow we will consider how forgiveness enables one to have the freedom to pray. 

P1 The freeing benefits of forgiveness - Freedom to put down offenses

Philemon 1:8-9 "Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus."

Introduction: 

In today's post I wanted to deal with the refreshing benefits that come when we forgive in the manner the Lord forgave us in Jesus Christ. The source of these benefits will derive from Philemon 1:10-25. After Paul makes the appeal to Philemon to forgive his former slave Onesimus in Philemon 1:8-9, we note the following freeing benefits of forgiveness:

1. Freedom to put down offenses. Philemon 1:10-14

When we operate in unforgiveness, it is due to us at some point doing what the Bible refers to as "taking up an offense". To "take up and offense" means to respond in bitterness and anger rather than in forgiveness. Jesus warns of taking up offenses in Luke 17:1-5 "He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” 

Stumbling blocks or offense can prevent otherwise good, godly people from being effective in their Christian walk. When we harbor unforgiveness, we find ourselves incapable of receiving any further spiritual insights from God. In Mark 6:3, we find the people in Jesus' home town of Nazareth being "offended because of Him", perceiving a line having been crossed, and thus ultimately rejecting His ministry.  

In Philemon, the Apostle Paul points out that in receiving Onesimus, Philemon would operate in freedom. Forgiveness is after all rooted in the human will freely exercising itself in release from retention of bitterness. This is why Paul writes for example in Ephesians 4:31-32 to "put away from ourselves" things such as anger, malice and the like and instead "take up forgiveness". This fits in line with our definition of forgiveness - namely to "let go". So we find that when we forgive, we can put down the offenses and stumbling blocks that imprison us in bitterness of heart. 

Tomorrow we will look at a second benefit of forgiveness.

Life-practical considerations and benefits of forgiveness

Philemon 1:20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

Introduction
For the past few days we have been exploring the major theme of forgiveness in Paul's short letter to Philemon.  If we were to outline Paul's little letter around the theme of forgiveness, we could do so in the following way:

1. Christian identity is expressed by forgiveness - Philemon 1:1-3


2. Christian love (rooted in God) drives forgiveness - Philemon 1:4-9

3. Christian delight grounded in the cross grants the logic for forgiveness.  - Philemon 1:10-19

So when we think about Christian identity, love and delight relative to forgiveness - we discover that forgiveness is not an option, but rather the only effective way to deal with experienced hurt and injustice. We've thus seen what forgiveness is and why for the Christian, it makes sense. Today's post aims to see the benefits that result from forgiveness. 

Considering the benefits of forgiveness
As we saw in the above verses, Philemon's positive response to Paul's appeal to forgive Onesimus will undoubtedly "refresh" Paul's heart.  Forgiveness benefits both the forgiver and the forgiven in the following ways:

1. Godly living will flow from delight, not just duty. 
As Paul writes in Philemon 1:20-21: "Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say."  We have already mentioned this benefit - but it bears repeating. When you and I regularly forgive - the Christian life becomes more of a delight rather than a drudgery.  

2. Godly insights will become more available.
Philemon 1:22 tells us: "22At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you." Have you ever noticed how your "spiritual-sky" is overcast during those seasons of bitterness? We know what we ought to do and yet don't. We hear sermons or Bible lessons and take in the truth intellectually, yet there is a log-jam blocking the passage-way between the head and the heart. Forgiveness grants the benefit of breaking up the clouds overhead and the log-jam in between the head and the heart. 

3. Godly fellowship will grow sweeter.
We read in Philemon 1:23-24: "Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24as  do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers."  Notice all of the wonderful people that can be opened up to us when we forgive.  It is no accident that the Bible talks about forgiveness in contexts where there are family members, church members and friends. Jacob and Esau needed to forgive one another. In the New Testament, we find Paul urging church members to get right with one another. Forgiveness opens our lives up to let the light of the Lord shine into them. 

Sweeter fellowship with people not only results when we forgive, but also fellowship with God. I'm certain every Christian, if not now, perhaps in the past, has been mad at God. Only at the cross can situations be made clear. When it comes to one's relationship with God, the perception of injustice on God's part is always do to mis-perception, since God is always just. Through the hurt we find God drawing us closer to Himself and our hearts being healed to where we embrace Him all the more. The marvel of forgiveness is recognizing that we have no grounds to exercise vengeance (even though we'd like to). When forgiveness occurs, the fellowship of other Christians becomes more sweeter and precious.

4. God's grace will operate more freely.
We discover in Philemon 1:25: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit". When you and I forgive, its not that we have to beg God for the grace needed to live with whatever consequences or whatever cost forgiveness may have to absorb.  Rather, by forgiving, we are stepping into grace already available. 

Final thoughts in practically exercising forgiveness
Drs. Timothy Clinton and George Ohlschlager are certified Christian counselors who have written a marvelous book entitled: "Competent Christian Counseling". In gleaning insights from pages 239-240 of their book, we can draw together all that we have considered in these last several posts on forgiveness. Their four-step process in practicing forgiveness is very apropos. 

1. Engage in lamenting. 
This has to do with engaging God in emotional honesty. They write: "lamenting means mourning the adverse effects of broken relationships and entreating God to bring divine healing and restoration." When I read these words, I think of Jeremiah and his book "Lamentations". His lament over the sins of His people made him raw. However, we would discover the hope of the New Covenant, the basis for God's salvation in Jesus, of which Jeremiah would be used of God to predict in the prophecy bearing his name (i.e the book of Jeremiah, chs 31-33).  

2. Encourage humility. 
Clinton and Ohlschlager write: "Humility allows a person to move beyond simply feeling the pain and anger of victim status to being able to empathize with the 'antagonist'. It also helps clients see their own contribution to the relational trouble." Certainly the authors' second step must be applied with delicacy. When considered in light of the 'logic of Calvary" that we have discussed in these last few posts, we find how forgiveness can oftentimes become a two-way street of healing.

3. Rehearse forgiving and apologizing. 
The authors note: "During a counseling session, have your client engage in a forgiveness event or ritual that may or may not include the other person". This particular step causes us to go from being spectators of forgiveness to becoming ready to forgive. 

4. Extend narrative horizons. 
In this last step of the process of forgiveness, Clinton and Ohlschlager note how this last step: "allows the client to see God's larger purposes of character development and spiritual maturity in the suffering and the forgiving." 

Why love and forgiveness go hand-in-hand

Philemon 1:9 "yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus."

Introduction:
These last several posts have been dedicated to exploring the Biblical teach on forgiveness through Paul's letter to Philemon. We could nick-name the Epistle to Philemon as "The Book of Forgiveness". We saw in the last post how true, effective forgiveness must arise from delight touched by grace, rather than sheer duty. It is one's duty to forgive, however, only in Jesus Christ can such a duty be seen as a delight. This doesn't take away the difficulty of forgiveness. If anything, to rely upon the logic of Calvary and God's grace to exercise forgiveness is impossible to do in the flesh. When we have gripped hold of the cross - only then will we "let go" and desire to forgive. Today's post will go a step further in expounding on how love and forgiveness go hand-in-hand. In short, we will not only see how both go hand-in-hand, but also why they do.

Why forgiveness and love go hand-in-hand
What does Paul say he is doing instead in Philemon 1:9 - "yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you."  It is love, based on the ultimate love of God at Calvary that governs the logic of forgiveness (Romans 5:8).  Grace - God's Riches At Christ's Expense, is the chiefest motivation for wanting to forgive those who outside of grace only deserve justice. At the cross, we see God's love and forgiveness explaining the activity of Jesus Christ on behalf of the sinner. John 3:16 tells us "For God so loved the world....". Yet again, we find these words in Romans 5:8 "For God demonstrated His love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." 

God's love is clearly expressed at the cross along with the act of such love - namely forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7 states clearly - "in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins". Or again, the same words are repeated in Colossians 1:14. 

This is the logic of Calvary. We know that forgiveness and love go hand-in-hand at the cross, but the question is: "Why"? Christ is the visible expression and revelation of the invisible Father, who is Divine love (see 1 John 4:8). Moreover, Christ forgives as the Father forgives, since Jesus Christ is God in human flesh, the visible expression of the Father who is invisible, spirit and the forgiver of sinners reconciled to Him through Christ in saving faith (see Colossians 3:13). True love and forgiveness derive from God, who in turn, instills it and commands it to His people (Ephesians 4:32).  

Difference between non-Christian and Christian expressions of forgiveness
In light of what we just observed in Philemon 1:8-9, we can understand the difference between non-Christian and Christian expressions of forgiveness.  When a non-Christian forgives, they do it because of duty. All human beings are made in God's image (Genesis 1:26) and henceforth can express in shadowy form moral and ethical actions. God by nature is a forgiving and loving God. As those made in His image, human beings can express a form of forgiveness and love. However, until people are re-cast in the image of Jesus Christ at saving faith (see Ephesians 4:23-24), forgiveness will only ever be an obligation, rather than a God-centered desire. 

Unbelievers who exercise forgiveness and love express the form without the true substance. They do it because: "its the right thing" or "I know it will help me feel better" or "I know that it will benefit everyone for me to do it".  In the world outside of the cross, the mouth that utters "I forgive" has beneath its breath: "however". Why?  Because outside the cross forgiveness makes no sense.  

For those outside of a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, forgiveness is viewed as the best of options. Often the preferred option is vengeance. However, for a person who has been brought to the cross by grace through faith and believed on Jesus Christ - forgiveness is the only thing that makes sense.  Forgiveness based upon what God did in Jesus Christ is not a duty.  Instead, forgiveness is an expression of love.  If anything - vengeance is cancelled out at Calvary.  All grounds of accusation and litigation are taken away at the cross (Romans 5:6-10; Colossians 2:11-15).  Christian forgiveness not only changes the state of the guilty in the eyes of the forgiving person, but the forgiving person is changed too.

The one who has been forgiven much will love much
A wonderful illustration of the heart of forgiveness is seen in the account of the woman anointing Jesus' feet in Luke 7:40-50.  She came to Jesus. She was a woman with a checkered past.  She came, crawling on the ground, hair unfurled, dragging on the ground.  She came - sobbing, weeping, trembling, bent in humility.  She began to wipe Jesus' soiled feet with her hair.  Her love was without bounds.  Why? Jesus stated that she loved much because she has been forgiven much (Luke 7:47).  The love of the cross reached backward in time to her.  She by grace believed the promises of God and grabbed hold of Christ the Person of those promises.  The accomplishment of Calvary reaches forward in time to us.

What compelled God to work forth forgiveness at the cross?
How much has God forgiven us through Jesus Christ?  What did we do that compelled the sinless Savior to go to the cross?  Nothing. Forgiveness, like love, is not compelled. It is an act of the will influenced by love. I often tell people that no matter what someone has done to you to bring about your circumstances, it can never compare to what you and I did. If God could forgive the likes of us through His Son out of sheer love, then cannot His love working through us result in us desiring to forgive that other person?  

Why the heart behind true forgiveness is love
In going back to Paul's comments in Philemon, why did he choose love as the basis of his appeal to Philemon? Because in order for forgiveness to be real and effective - it has to be a choice.  Only one other expression matches that set of criteria - love.  As already mentioned: if love is coerced, then it is not love.  Love is the hand and forgiveness is the glove.  Love is the pond and forgiveness the fountain.  Love is the flower and forgiveness the scent.  Paul was trusting completely in the sufficiency of the Spirit's inspired words flowing through him, and out of that pen on paper to soften Philemon's heart.  Forgiveness is influenced by love - and love is the cause of forgiveness, which results in change and transformed lives.

True forgiveness arises from delight, and not just duty

Philemon 8-9 "Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus."

Introduction
Truly a Christian is no more like Jesus Christ than when he or she forgives. (Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:13)  Today we want to deal with how forgiveness, as it is expressed in the Bible, arises out of delight touched by grace, rather than duty alone.  

Forgiveness can only be effective when it arises from grace, rather than duty
Paul writes in Philemon 1:8-9 "Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus".   Paul's appeal to Philemon could had came out of his authority as an apostle. However, the appeal to forgive is made from the standpoint of "love's sake". Oftentimes when we talk about needing to forgive one another, we treat the subject like a parent of a small child. The child does something wrong (perhaps against a sibling), and when the wrong-doing has been discovered, the parent will urge the child: "what do you say?" The response from the child will hopefully be "I'm sorry". Such rote responses may be how we teach our children when they're young, however the type of forgiveness we are speaking of here won't work under coercion - and Paul knows it. 

Without question, the appeal to forgive could had been couched as a guilt trip or even as demand out of sheer obligation.  No doubt Paul the mighty Apostle to the Gentiles could issue decrees, thus commanding Philemon to forgive this newly converted man Onesimus.  Without question Paul, the prince of preachers, could had laid upon Philemon to forgive Onesimus who had been converted under his time with Paul in prison.  Beyond doubt Paul could had used the fact that Philemon himself was a convert of Paul's ministry, and that somehow he "owed" Paul. 

If Paul would had done either of those methods, the forgiveness demanded would had been done out of duty, rather than delight. Duty-bound right-living arises out of response to the law of God, whereas delight to do what right emerges from response to God's loving grace.  

In our next post we will consider how forgiveness and love go hand-in-hand, and why the logic of Calvary must drive our efforts to truly forgive.

Why forgiveness is so important

Philemon 17-18 "If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account"

What is forgiveness?
The little book of Philemon is dedicated to the theme of forgiveness.  In studying the meanings of the Hebrew and Greek words used in the Bible for "forgiveness", we find the following definitions: "to let go or to release from guilt and further accusation."   Forgiveness can only be effectively done and make sense when expressed in light of the cross.  (Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:13) 

Though unbelievers everyday may express forgiveness, it will not have the affect nor will it make total sense outside the cross. Retaliation tends to be the default reaction of human beings in the face of injustice. Everything is turned on its head at the cross. The grounds for accusation are revoked. In its place arises mercy and grace as the only options that can be received into the heart that looks to Christ as Savior and Lord in saving faith (Ephesians 1:7).

Why is the Book of Philemon a book of forgiveness?
The book of Philemon is about Onesimus, a run away slave, who had stolen everything from his master - Philemon and fled to Rome. Onesimus thought he could find his freedom, but instead ended up in prison. What looked like a situation going from bad to worse was all part of God's Sovereign plan. Onesimus' disappointment ended up being a Divine appointment, for his cell mate was none other than the Apostle Paul! 

Per 1st century Roman law, Oneismus would had been branded a Fugitive (fugitivas) by the Roman Empire.  According to Roman custom, if the slave owner (Philemon) so chose, he could have the "fugative" excuted.  In the course of Onesimus' incarceration, he became converted under Paul's preaching.  Paul wrote this letter to Philemon, who happened to be Paul's friend and Onesimus' owner.

The question hanging over Paul's letter to Philemon would be: would Onesimus' be exonerated or executed? Forgiven or remain the captured fugative? Will Onesimus be regarded not merely as a slave but also a fellow brother in Christ?  These are the questions the Book of Philemon will aim to answer. 

How forgiveness is the heart of Christian expression
Pastor John MacArthur has noted that we are never more like Jesus Christ than when we forgive.  Forgiveness lies at the heart of true Christian identity.  How is it that forgiveness is at the core of Christian identity?  Consider the following thoughts from Philemon:

1. Christians have no right to harbor unforgiveness. Philemon 1
Paul writes in Philemon 1a "Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus....", which tells us that his own self-perception was that of a man without rights.  The man who composed this little letter under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost was saying that as a prisoner of Jesus Christ, he had no rights.  To forgive means letting go of "my so-called" rights to hold the grudge and to remain angry. Forgiveness means I choose to no longer accuse the other person who very may well deserve nothing but justice and scorn.  Nonetheless, Christians have no right to hold grudges.  Instead, they must forgive, just as the Lord forgave them. (Colossians 3:13)

2. Christian fellowship depends on forgiveness. Philemon 1b-2
Philemon 1b-2 reads - ..."and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother andfellow worker, 2and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house." Notice the underlined words - they all have to do with typical relationships experienced in life and among Christians in fellowship with one another.  Philemon's home was the meeting place of the church at Colosse.  We know this because Archippus in mentioned in that letter, most likely meaning he was its Pastor. (Colossians 4:13)  Even more intriguing is the fact that Apphia is Archippus' mother and Philemon may very well had been her husband and his dad!  Imagine if Philemon would choose not to forgive?  A chain reaction of a church split, a split family and the dimming of the Gospel witness at Colosse would had resulted.  Christian fellowship depends on forgiveness, and forgiveness is at the hub of Christian identity.  But also notice....

3. Christian Victory relies upon forgiveness.  Philemon 2
Paul writes in Philemon 2 - "and to Archippus our fellow soldier".  Why is it that so many Christians live defeated lives?  Why are we not all living as "fellow soldiers"?  Because we choose to hold the grudge, take up the offense, rather than "letting-go" in Jesus' name.  Jesus taught the principle of "forgiving your brother" as a means for effective in prayer.  Consider Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering."

4. Christians hear God through forgiveness. Philemon 3
We read these words in Philemon 3 - "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."  This short epistle is all about forgiveness. It reminds us that apart from God's grace - whereby He gives to us what we do not deserve - forgiveness is an impossibility.  Forgiveness brings me to God when I receive it, because in His grace He offered it to me to believe it.  Jesus says in John 10:27 that every Christian follows Him because at saving grace, every sheep was given that capacity to hear His voice and follow Him.

When Christians refuse to forgive, they dull their ability to hear God in whatever area they have chosen to be bitter. Ephesians 4:30-32 reminds us -  "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. " 

Closing thoughts
We have explored today the importance of forgiveness in Paul's letter of Philemon. We noted four reasons why forgiveness is so important for the Christian:

1. Christians have no right to harbor unforgiveness

2. Christian victory depends on forgiveness

3. Christian fellowship depends on forgiveness

4. Christians hear God through forgiveness