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Forgive, As You Have Been Forgiven (Philemon 1-25 ). Athan Shongzan 1 June 2014. Gladys Staines. "Because of God’s forgiveness, I hold no bitterness towards the persons who killed my family. Forgiveness brought healing which is needed everywhere from hatred and violence .”. We get hurt
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Forgive, As You Have Been Forgiven(Philemon 1-25) AthanShongzan 1 June 2014
"Because of God’s forgiveness, I hold no bitterness towards the persons who killed my family. Forgiveness brought healing which is needed everywhere from hatred and violence.”
We get hurt • We hurt others • We encounter hurting people • We get hurt - giver • We hurt others - receiver • We encounter hurting people - mediator
How can we forgive others, and facilitate forgiveness among people? The Epistle of Paul to
Paul & Onesimus Assumed scraps of communication between Paul and Onesimus by Gary Stanley. Worldwide Challenge, May 1982, p.22
We are involved in forgiveness at various levels Philemon - giver Onesimus- receiver Paul - mediator
Philemon • Wealthy slave owner • Accept or reject Onesimus • Disappointed & angry over the crime of his own man.
B. Onesimus • A runaway slave, who became a Christian. • Criminal, fugitive. • Facing starvation & death, but couldn’t return alone.
C. Paul • A prisoner • Close relationship with Philemon • Persuade on the basis of his sacrifice.
Philemon - forgiver • Onesimus- forgiven • Paul - mediator
II. Forgive, as you have been forgiven • Forgiveness is based on the love of God • Charge it to my account. I will repay it. • (vv. 18-19)
He died in the person of another Free to go
II. Forgive, as you have been forgiven • Forgiveness is based on the oneness and unity in Christ • Accept him as a beloved brother . . . , Welcome him as you would welcome me. • (vv. 18-19)
Forgive, as you have been forgiven • Philemon, who needs to forgive others. • Onesimus, who is seeking forgiveness. • Paul, who can mediate to bring forgiveness.