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Short but with a Punch

November 1, 2007

Philemon is the shortest letter that we have of the apostle Paul. But in it there is an amazing amount of ideas to think on and act on. It is a short letter but jam packed with wisdom...and a punch.

It is a letter that challenges us about repentance and forgiveness. Both of them come with a cost. Onesimus was a slave who ran away from his Christian Master – Philemon, and stole from him on the way. Onesimus did the wrong thing criminally, financially, morally and spiritually. But Onesimus becomes a Christian through Paul the apostle and so realises that he must go back to his Master and say “sorry” for doing the wrong thing.

And not only say the words but face the consequences. Repentance costs. God commands us to repent, the godly will repent. Are we willing to repent – to say sorry to those whom we have wronged and face the consequences? Thankfully God always forgives when we say sorry. But he does require us to work on changing those habits that we do which are sinful, those actions that need “sorry” said. God also commands us to say “sorry” to those humans we have wronged. Are we willing to repent and face the consequences? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the community of All Saints did this!! It will cost us but it will restore many relationships.

Philemon, who was wronged by Onesimus, is left with a challenge; to forgive not out of duty but out of love, to forgive as he had been forgiven by God, to forgive from his heart. Paul urges Philemon to do this but doesn’t command him – so that he does it restoring relationship. This will cost him financially and emotionally but it will restore relationship in a wonderful way. Forgiveness costs! Look at how much our forgiveness cost – the death of Jesus. God commands us to forgive, the godly will “forgive as we forgive those who sin against us”. Are we willing to forgive? – not out of duty but from our heart and because we understand what Christ has done for us? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the community of All Saints did this!! A short letter but with a wonderful costly punch.

Have a read of the letter to Philemon. It won’t take you long but it will cost you.

Ian
 

Comments

I have to confess that it's really not easy for me to forgive those who hurt me. Even though I didn't take a revenge to them, but I avoid meeting them. I think if I don't meet them, then it will help me to forgive them. Especially some of them always hurt me each time we meet. Is it a good decision or not?

Posted by Lidia on Friday, November 9, 2007 at 06:00:43

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