I. SPIRITUAL CHARACTER OF ONE WHO FORGIVES (4-7) Lack of forgiveness is one of the leading causes of the breakups in all relationships. Paul’s describes the spiritual character of one who forgives as – “I am confident of your obedience” Has a concern for the Lord Has a concern for people Has a concern for fellowship Has a concern for knowledge Has a concern to bring glory to God Has a concern to be a blessing to God and others When we are unwilling to forgive it is a rebellious, blatant open act of disobedience to God. The harm is to ourselves, and to others1. Failure to forgive will imprison believers in their past. It binds us!2. Failure to forgive produces bitterness3. Failure to forgive gives Satan an open door4. Failure to forgive hinders your fellowship with God. John MacArthur an author and pastor here in So. CA said Forgiveness is found throughout the scriptures and is found in 75 different word pictures in the Bible. I have picked a few of them· To forgive is to write in large letters across a debt, Nothing owed. PAID IN FULL· To forgive is to pound the gavel in a courtroom and declare Not guilty· To forgive is to shoot an arrow so high and so far that it can never be found again.· To forgive is to bundle up all the garbage and trash and dispose of it, leaving the house fresh and clean. …..TODAY THINK ABOUT YOUR PAST – WHAT HAS GOD FORGIVEN YOU FOR. HAVE YOU THANKED HIM II. SPIRITUAL ACTION OF ONE WHO FORGIVES Verses (8-18) Vs. 8 – Paul waives his authority as an apostle, and appeals to Philemon on the basis that it is the right thing to do…AND with the same gentleness as he would receive Paul. Verse 9 – Yet I appeal to you on the basis of love….to receive Onesimus back. PAUL IS CHARGING PHILEMON TO RECEIVE ONESIMUS BACK ON THE BASIS OF LOVE. Verse 14 – Paul wanted Philemon’s forgiveness and reconciliation to be spontaneous and not forced. Who should you forgive – how would that effect your life?
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