Our relationship with God will enable us to have restored relationships with one another.

III.  SPIRITUAL MOTIVATION OF ONE WHO FORGIVES (19-25)

1.     Recognition of an Unpayable debt (19) Paul’s promise to make restitution – restore what was taken.  (example: Time, money, broken relationships, etc.) This requires Grace

2.     Possibility of Being a blessing (20)  Paul’s appeal is for Philemon to refresh his heart3.     Necessity of Obedience and accountability(21) Paul appeals to his knowledge of Philemon’s character – and his obedience to what was spiritually right “confident of your obedience”4.     Importance of Maintaining Fellowship (22-24) Paul begins conclusion of his letter with the expectation of hospitality, and sends greetings from fellow laborers Paul’s closing prayer is for their health and peace is an expression of love and respect.He then ends with his salutation:  (vs.25)“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”Grace –  Is God’s free favor and love for us because of what Jesus completed on the cross   The spirit – influences the whole person and is tobe an outflow in gracious and holy living Jesus is in communion with our spirit Thought:  WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT LOVE AND FORGIVENESS CAN YOU FORGIVE THOSE WHO HAVE WRONGED OR OFFENDED YOU. ***Can you let it go?***Can you before a Holy God go and say FATHER      FORGIVE ME, FATHER I FORGIVE THEM? ***Can you in your heart of hearts forgive and receive that       person back? True Forgiveness means to treat the one we have forgiven as we would want to be treated. Is there someone you have forgiven but you need to show kindness or receive back? Do you need to demonstrate self sacrifice towards another?  Do you need to show grace to somebody else – Not because they deserve it.  But the same way that God gives us grace when He welcomes us into His arms and takes us in as His daughter/son, an heir to the throne? The greatest commandment of all was when Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with your soul and with all your mind.  And love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-38, Mark 12:28-31, Luke 10:25-28) Our relationship with God will enable us to have restored relationships with one another.   

We are called to demonstrate Agape love, unconditional love, that God showed and it is only through that love we can exhibit love and forgiveness

What are some things you have learned about love and forgiveness?

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RECEPTION is the first step in the process of forgiveness (10-14)*It involves opening up your life and heart taking back the one who offended.* Philemon needed to receive Onesimus back because he was repentant, he was transformed, and had been proven faithful.Paul gives testimony to that in verses 10 he calls him “my son, Onesimus” and vs. 12 he says, “who is my very heart”   Sin is not glossed over nor the consequeneces of sinAs we look at 13 and 14 we see that Paul does not keep Onesimus for himself, and does not deny Philmenon’s civil rights – so he sends Onesimus back –  with the letter of appeal for Forgiveness and Reconciliation & offers Restitution FORGIVENESS, RECONCILLIATION, RESTORATION  (15-16)*Paul asks Philemon not only to welcome Onesimus back, but to restore him to service.   “No longer a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother. “               Forgiveness holds no hostages – God covers our sins with divine grace RESTITUTION (17-18)  is an essential component of forgiveness.  Paul offers to pay the debt for Onesimus – an essential component of forgiveness.Forgiveness….Reconcilliation…Restoration…Restitution          ***IT IS SAID THAT ‘NEVER ARE WE MORE LIKE GOD THAN WHEN WE FORGIVE. ***NEVER ARE WE MORE LIKE CHRIST THAN WHEN WE PAY SOMEONE ELSE’S DEBT SO THAT RECONCILIATION CAN TAKE PLACE.   Paul’s willingness to suffer the temporal consequences of Onesimus’s sin mirrors Christ’s willingness to suffer the eternal consequences of our sin on the Cross. The forgiveness that a believer finds in Christ is beautifully portrayed by this analogy in PhilemonØ     Onesimus is quilty (vs 11,18)Ø     Paul intercedes on his behalf (vs 10, 17)Ø     Paul becomes Onesimus substitute and pays his debt (vs 8, 18,19)Ø     By Philemon’s gracious act Onesimus will be restored in a new relationship (as a beloved brother and not a useless slave. (Vs 15,16)Ø     We are much like Onesimus in our sinsØ     Paul becomes his advocacy is parallel to Christ’s work of mediation for us before the Father.

Ø     Onesimus was condemned by law – but saved by Grace.

 Who should you be open to forgive today