Corona Devo 1855


Forgive and (completely) forget?  Probably not. 
But (today), it might be time to forgive and move forward with someone.  Is God asking us to?  
Or, is God using one of His people to speak forgiveness into us about someone else?  

I know it's tough to listen if we have been hurt or wronged, but God might be opening our ears (and knocking on our hearts) today through His Word.

That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you... (9) ...Consider this as a request from me—Paul...  

(10) 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.  ~Philemon 1:8-12

Let me introduce these people: Paul was a strong believer in the Lord and he was one of the most influential people ever to tell and teach people about the Jesus, and that's because Paul had been changed by the Lord.

It is an assumption on my part, but I dare say that (possibly) because of Paul's radical transformation in Christ, he could see and sense authentic faith in others also.  Paul knew that Philemon (a friend and brother-in-Christ of his) was a (real deal) Believer.  They were buds and had served the Lord together, but for reasons that we are not privy to, Onesimus (also a friend and brother-in-Christ of Paul) had fallen out of the good graces of Philemon.  They were not buds. 

However, Paul had seen the faith of Onesimus, and he felt so strongly about the (spiritual) change of heart in this Onesimus, that he wrote a heartfelt and earnest letter asking Philemon to accept Onesimus, and to do ministry with him.  (Paul went to bat for Onesimus.)

Paul's strong request for Philemon to reconsider friendship with Onesimus is striking. 
It's fairly rare to find someone going to bat for someone else, and when I read this example in the Bible, it reminded me to be sensitive to what God is doing around us, and within others. 

Is someone going to bat for someone in our lives?  Then we should listen.

Sometimes, God asks us to discern and to trust others who confer with us about pertinent issues and people.  Paul went to bat for Onesimus.

~~

This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus...

I am writing to Philemon...

(3) May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.  

(4) I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, (5) because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. (6) And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. (7) Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.  

(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.

(10) 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. 

(13) I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. (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. 

(15) 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!  

(20) Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.  ~Philemon 1:1, 3-20

~~~

If someone came to us with such a genuine and firm argument regarding forgiveness of someone (else), it might be a tough request to swallow.  But the Bible reminds us today to at least chew on it.

We must consider the source, and pray on everything, but God changes people and their lives.  Who we once were (before Christ) is not who we are today (after accepting Christ).

Has someone in our circle made a life and heart change for Christ?  Do they need a second chance from us today?

Is someone that we know going to bat for them?

We must trust God first and foremost.  But if a believer that we trust is going to bat for, and presenting a person or opportunity to us-- we must be reminded of Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus. 

God can and will use His people to accomplish His will.  

Are we being open to Him?

Blessings,  

sarah  

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com 

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