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Saturday 11 August 2018

Philemon and the cost of forgiveness

In the Biblical book of Philemon, Paul is writing to a friend and fellow Christian, a man described as having great love and encouragement for others in the body of Christ, one who shares his faith to the extent that a house church meets in his residence. Philemon was probably a wealthy man, given that he owned at least one servant. It's the subject of Philemon's servant, Onesimus which occupies the major part of the subject matter of this brief letter.
It seems that Onesimus had run away from the household of Philemon, possibly taking food or other articles with him, and had made his way to Rome, where he had come into contact with Paul, a contact which continued during Paul's imprisonment. At some point Onesimus had become a Christian. Paul is now urging Onesimus to return to his former master, but advocating for him to be received with forgiveness, and not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. Paul declares that he will be responsible for any debts owed by Onesimus to Philemon. Paul adds that he, Philemon, owes Paul a debt of gratitude for his life. Possibly Paul was the person who converted Philemon.

When reading the passages in the epistle to Philemon, I think of what it teaches us about forgiveness. Imagine if it were God writing to you or I. Someone has betrayed our trust. They have hurt us. They have robbed us of something- material possessions, faith in others, self-esteem, relationship. Maybe they weren't a Christian and had no idea of what they were doing. Or maybe they called themselves a Christian. Some of the worst hurts, the hardest to forgive come from others within the body of Christ.

Now imagine if what Paul is saying to Philemon, God is saying to us. Don't hold a grudge. If that person who has wronged you comes back into your life, treat him or her with all the love that you would show to a brother or sister. Easier said than done right? Because in the case of Onesimus, he was a changed man to his former self, now a Christian. He was trying to make right what he had previously done wrong. What about those who have mistreated us with no turn of direction?

One of the wisest points in a sermon that I ever heard was spoken by Wesleyan minister Rev. Peter Breen, who stated "You can't expect non-Christians to behave like Christians." Despite living in a Christian household, Onesimus wronged Philemon. I wonder if Philemon's response was to pray for the missing man, and if so, were those prayers a contributing factor to Onesimus being converted and meeting Paul?

Listen to what Paul is saying to Philemon, indicative of what God is saying to us- I know your heart, your character, your love. I will make it up to you for anything that has been taken away from you. I, Jesus, have paid the penalty for all sins on the cross- that includes those who sin against you. Forgive them, they don't know what they are doing. And don't forget, I have forgiven you for the sins you have committed against Me, and against other people.

If we have been sinned against, we can rest assured that God knows and understands and will strengthen and grow us through this experience. He gives far more than others can take away. If we are finding it hard to forgive, this story points to how we can best view the person who has hurt us. We can pray that like Onesimus, the person who has hurt us may have contact with a Christian who will lead him or her into relationship with Jesus Christ.  This is why Jesus asks us to " Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27,28)