Forgiveness, Day 10 The grace of Jesus Christ. What a perfect way to close out the book. Reread Philemon. As we come to the ending of this book on forgiveness, we see Paul reminding the people that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ should be with them. We will not practice forgiveness if we do not understand grace. God’s grace is what allows us to accept the forgiveness that he provides to us, and God’s grace is what also enables us to give forgiveness to others. When we look at our situation and the people that we are around, do we give them grace? And not just any grace,…

Forgiveness, Day 9 Do we believe our prayers will be answered? Read Philemon, focusing on verse 22. We are coming toward the end of our series on forgiveness, going through the Philemon. One more session after today. This verse, verse 22, we see so many amazing truths in this. Paul wants the people to pray for him that he will be able to join them soon. But they aren’t just to pray for him, they are to actually make sure they take action believing that prayers will be answered. Do we actually take action? When we pray for something, do we pray believing God is able to do all that…

Forgiveness, Day 8 Do people follow through on what they say and what we ask? Read Philemon and focus on verse 21. Paul is giving lots of information to Philemon and Paul asks Philemon to do something for him. He asks him to forgive a man who has hurt Philemon. Paul doesn’t order him to forgive and he doesn’t dictate him to forgive. However, in Paul’s appeal, we see that Paul is confident that Philemon will make the right choice and will do the right thing. When we ask people to do the right thing, how confident are we that they will do so? Do we believe that people are…

Forgiveness, Day 7 Impact on others. Read Philemon, focusing on verse 20. As we read through this book again today, we see that Paul is explaining to Philemon the impact of forgiveness. Paul reminds Philemon that his willingness to forgive or his unwillingness to forgive will actually impact other people around him. Paul is saying that Philemon’s forgiveness will be a benefit and a blessing to Paul. How is that possible? When we experience forgiveness in our life, that restores relationships and it’s not just the relationship with the person who wronged us. Relationships are often something that move and work together. They intertwine. As Paul explains, when Philemon forgives…

Forgiveness, Day 6 How do we live out our forgiveness of others? Read Philemon. Looking at verse 17, we see Paul explaining that forgiveness is about substitution. Paul is asking them to substitute the sin with someone who has not sinned against them. Paul says they should consider him instead of Onesimus. Do we treat people the way that Christ treats them? Do we substitute our view of people for Christ’s view?

Forgiveness, Day 5 Do you get permission? Read Philemon, focusing on verses 13 and 14. Onesimus had been a slave and he ran away from Philemon. Now Onesimus has become a believer in Christ and Paul is trying to help them reconcile. Paul is helping Philemon understand the value and worth of Onesimus. When we see people, do we see them for their value? Do we see them the way that Christ sees them? Paul wants Philemon to understand that he has a choice to forgive. It’s not a decision that will be forced on him. It’s a choice that he has to make. Do we make the decision and…

Forgiveness, Day 4 How do you describe a thief and runaway? Read through Philemon again. As we look at verses 11 – 12, Paul is describing the former runaway slave Onesimus. Yet that is probably not how Philemon would have described him. When people have betrayed or hurt us, it can be difficult to see past the anger and pain. Yet Paul wants to help Philemon take another look. Forgiveness is extremely challenging and can take so much effort to work through. Yet, only through Christ can we see people differently. Only through Christ can people actually be changed. Are we willing to take another look at those who have…

Forgiveness, Day 3 An appeal, not a order. Read through the book of Philemon. As we see Paul getting into the letter, he mentions that he could order Philemon to forgive, but that instead he appeals to him through love. Why is Paul appealing to Philemon? For Onesimus, the slave who had wronged Philemon. It was a lot to forgive. Yet Paul is asking for it. Do we hear Christ’s appeal to us to be forgiven and to forgive others? How do we respond?

Forgiveness, Day 2 How can we be encouraged? Read through Philemon in the Bible. Looking at this tiny book, we see a letter written from one man to encourage a second man. Paul writes this letter and indicates that he has been encouraged because of what Philemon has done. Because Philemon is building up and raising up others to follow Christ, that encourages Paul. So many of us need encouragement. The world is a difficult and challenging place and we can often feel beat down and discouraged everyday. What encourages us? What brings our heart joy? Often, the biggest area of joy can come from seeing other people following Christ.…

Forgiveness, Day 1 We’re going to spend some time going through the book of Philemon. It’s only 1 chapter, so we’ll read it all the way through each day. Looking at the first 3 verses, we see Paul introducing himself and listing all the people that he’s writing the letter to. He wishes them grace and peace. When we meet people, do we wish them grace and peace. Do people even know what grace and peace are these days? We run and run and seek after so mamy things, yet do we have peace? Do we understand that we have grace and that only through God are we able to…