Corona Devo 1828

Is God longing for us to know this freedom of forgiveness?  God settles all scores and even erases them once we allow Him to have control over our heart and our hurts.  


Is the Lord inviting us to forgive someone today?   He is asking us, and not demanding us.

~~~

God (through the Bible) is asking a favor of forgiveness of us today, and (don't be misled), He's not demanding it (Philemon 1:8).  

That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. (9) But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus. ~Philemon 1:8-9 

The Lord wants us to help (forgive) because we are willing, not because we are forced (Philemon 1:14).

But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.  ~Philemon 1:14

Forgiveness won't work if it is not authentic.  It can't be forced, and it is often an act of God to make us willing. 

Make us willing  to forgive today, Father.  Amen. 

~~~


 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.  ~Philemon 1:12

You see, Onesimus and Philemon had a relationship once.  It wasn't perfect, but it ended, and Paul prompts Philemon to (now) see Onesimus as more...so much more (in Christ) than however they had left things between them previously.  

(Listen closely to God's Word today...is the Lord whispering something similar in our hearts?)

Paul has seen a change in the spiritual heart of Onesimus, and it has broken his own heart (in a beautiful way).  Paul would really love for Philemon to forgive Onesimus, which he knows is a big task and a big ask.  But Paul desires the freedom-of-forgiveness to be felt in Onesimus, because Paul has experienced it (and been freed by it)!  

It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. (16) He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.  ~Philemon 1:15-16

If we are holding on to bitterness, jealousy, hurt, or scorn...then the road to forgiveness is blocked.  

But if we will allow God and His Word to invite-us (as He is doing today), and to provide evidence-of (Himself), and to work-in-our-hearts and our lives...well, then Paul has a new friend to introduce, and a new feeling to enforce: forgiveness.

Philemon will remember Onesimus...but will he open the (heart/friendship/sibling-in-Christ) portal to forgive Him?  

Paul does his best to convince him to:
 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. (11) Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. (12) I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart...

It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. (16) He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.  

(17) So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. (18) If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. (19) I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I WILL REPAY IT. AND I WON’T MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL!  ~Philemon 1:10-12, 15-19

Paul is very much standing in the stead of Onesimus.  Paul is genuinely and honestly asking Philemon's forgiveness of Onesimus.  Paul has experienced the freedom of forgiveness, and he wants to pass it on...

~~~

The question (and reflection) that the Lord has put on my (our) heart today is prompted by Philemon. Is God bringing to our mind and heart an "Onesimus" today?

Is it time for forgiveness?  

Do we have someone in our life that (God is inviting us) to forgive today?  

Is God longing for us to know this freedom of forgiveness?  God settles all scores and even erases them once we allow Him to have control over our heart and our hurts.  

Is the Lord inviting us to forgive someone today?  He is asking us, but He is not demanding us.

~~~

It's interesting and convicting: we don't just read God's Word to learn how God moved in other people's lives, we read the Bible today because God uses it to move us in our lives.

Paul pleaded (in Christ) for Philemon to forgive Onesimus.

Is God longing for us to know the freedom of forgiving someone?  (We know who.)  
God settles all scores and even erases them once we allow Him to have control over our heart and our hurts.  

Is the Lord inviting us to forgive someone today?  Remember--He is asking, and not demanding, but we will be the victors if we will accept.  

Blessings,  

sarah  

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com 

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