Philemon 1:8-10

New International Version (NIV)

Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.

For Meditation

When people hurt us, sometimes we forget we were once like Onesimus (Philemon 1:1-22), fugitives running from God, with a death sentence hanging around our necks (Romans 6:23). We had no hope for forgiveness and reconciliation (Ephesians 2:12). We would have died fugitives had God not intervened.

Out of His love for us, God sent His Son (John 3:16) to take our place and serve our death sentence to satisfy His righteous requirement for our salvation (Romans 5:6). God forgave and set us free (Colossians 1:14) because of His mercy (Ephesians 3b-5) and grace (2:8-9). God has forgiven us so that we can extend mercy to others who offend us and receive grace to forgive them.

Paul’s appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus is a classic encouragement for every Christian hurting and wounded by abuse of trust (Philemon 1-22). Paul assumes the place of Onesimus, takes on his punishment for stealing and absconding from Philemon, and asks for forgiveness on his behalf. In doing so, Paul reminds Philemon of the forgiveness God has worked for him in Christ and asks him to forgive Onesimus.

“If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul … will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self” (18-19).

It is human nature for people to offend us. As you read this message, somebody might have wounded you so painfully that you have vowed never to forgive the person for it. It may be your spouse, sibling, friend, colleague, or neighbor. But God’s appeal to you is clear and strong: look in the face of Jesus on the cross and forgive that person. You have the power in Christ to forgive, and in doing so, you can experience the freedom and healing that comes from it.

Can you hear the voice of Jesus in Paul’s appeal today (18-19)? Not that Christ is going to repay you for the offense of that person in your life. He has already paid it by dying for you. He wants you to draw strength from your redemption to forgive that person who has hurt you so badly.

Nobody can deny your pain and the wounds it has inflicted on you. Jesus knows and feels them personally as your Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16). He understands your pain; He empathizes with your suffering. Christ wants to heal you if you yield your hurts to Him. You cannot continue to suffer and carry that pain anymore. Give it to Jesus, your burden bearer, and experience divine healing and renewal today.

You can smile again, my friend, if you do.

Pray with Me

Father, I confess the weight of my pain since [name the person] left me betrayed and wounded. I have struggled for too long and cannot continue to bear it anymore. Give me the grace to forgive [him/her/them] as you forgave me in Christ and heal my brokenness in Him. Amen.