THE TRANSFORMING GOSPEL - Choose to Forgive

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “I am sending him - who is my very heart - back to you. I would have like to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.” (Philemon 1:12-14)
          Passage: Psalm 40:1-6

           A preacher in a church with just a few members, preached a sermon he titled, “Forgive your enemies.” As he concluded, he asked everyone who had decided to forgive their enemies to raise their hands. All did except one elderly lady. The preacher asked, “Why didn’t you raise your hand?” She replied, “I don’t have any enemies.” The preacher responded, “Now, I know you’re in your 90’s. How is that you don’t have any enemies?” She answered, “I outlived them all.” Whether you are 19 or 99, you are going to have someone hurt or disappoint you in some way. In some cases, that person will not be someone you would categorize as an enemy. It can be a member of your family or someone you considered a trusted friend. Whatever the circumstance and relationship, God wants you to choose to forgive.

The ultimate purpose of Paul’s letter to Philemon was to call on Philemon to forgive Onesimus, who had run away and perhaps even took some money. Onesimus had experience the transformation of salvation and he was returning to make things right. Making things right through showing repentance was Onesimus’s part. Forgiveness was Philemon’s. Forgiveness is a choice that starts in the heart of the offended, not in the apology of the offender. It is individual, not judicial. It doesn’t relieve a consequence of behavior or guarantee restoration of relationship. It doesn’t mean that you will hold a grudge and be the judge of another. When you are transformed by the power of Christ, you can choose to forgive. It is a powerful choice to make.

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)