Hello
Friends!
Welcome
to the completion
of our Encouraging Concepts Bible
study series focused on the powerful
little “epistle” of Philemon written by the great “Apostle Paul” as a personal
plea to his “beloved” brother – “Faithful
Forgiveness!”
The Epistle to Philemon: Faithful Forgiveness! (Verses 19-25)
19 I Paul have written it with mine
own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me
even thine own self besides. 20 Yea,
brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in thy
obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22 But withal prepare me
also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto
you. 23 There
salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; 24 Marcus, Aristarchus,
Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. 25 The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen – Philemon 19-25
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: Through a meaningful MODERATION of this deep DISPUTE between brother “Philemon” and brother “Onesimus” emerges a magnificent MINISTRY opportunity of which represents
a caring Christ-like act on the part of “Paul”
himself. And in this particular closing scenario,
brother “Paul” purposefully PAYS the
departed DEBT that is “owed” to his brother “Philemon”
on behalf of “Onesimus” in FULL order. Therefore, “Paul” in the correct “Christian”
context brings together a once “wronged”
situation through real RESTITUTION
of a right RELATIONSHIP between these spiritual siblings by acting
as their – Mindful MODERATOR!
MOTIVES of
Forgiveness!
This
wonderful “work” of forever FORGIVENESS offered
from deep
within the “heart” here in
these final PASSIONATE passages
caringly concludes with FOUR aspects
of real RELATIONSHIPS within the family of our Great “God” Himself:
FIRST: A righteous REPAYMENT
unto – Reconciliation!
SECOND: A beautiful BLESSING unto – Others!
THIRD: A godly ACCOUTABILITY
unto – Leadership!
FOURTH: A great GRACE from – God!
Each
of these AMAZING aspects of meaningful MINISTRY
are gladly given unto each of “us”
by our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” in full!
A Righteous REPAYMENT!
The
FIRST mindful motivation to fully FORGIVE from
deep within
the “heart” is rightly KNOWING that “we”
can become a righteous REPAYMENT as such:
I Paul have written it with mine
own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me
even thine own self besides – Philemon 19
Here
we see that “Paul” offers HIMSELF through his “own
hand” as the substitute settled “account” for the FULL
financial payment of the monetary DEBT of which “Onesimus”
rightly “owed” to his brother “Philemon” in kind. This
is “Paul’s” personal signature on his
poignant PROMISE in full FAITH to rightly “repay”
a deep DEBT owed to him – BY someone ELSE!
Incidentally,
“Paul” offered the very SAME sweet “salutation” to which he closes his loving
“letter” sent unto the Colossians fine
“fellowship” as he concludes his deep
LOVING thoughts:
The salutation
by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen – Colossians 4:18
In
BOTH of these incredible
instances, the “Apostle Paul” by his own “hand” places his authenticating
name on these CARING correspondences. And here “Paul”
is in a sense signing a blank check so to speak for
brother “Philemon” to fill in the
appropriate amount as was necessary. WHY?
Because whatever “Onesimus” originally OWED his
spiritual “brother” and mindful “master” outright, the powerful PROMISE provided
from “Paul” has been willingly “written” down in his APOSTOLIC
ink as such – Paul WILL Pay!
THEOLOIGICAL THOUGHTS: It is very IMPORTANT
to recognize that “Philemon” was not only
a man who is OWED a dire DEBT
himself. He is also a deep DEBTOR
of whom OWES someone else
an ever far greater deliberated DEBT
as such. In fact, whatever “Onesimus”
had OWED his “master”
was far less than what “Philemon”
had OWED his spiritual brother “Paul” in kind. WHY?
Because “Paul” had lovingly
led brother “Philemon” to the sweet SAVING great GRACE
of our “Lord Jesus Christ” Himself.
Therefore, way BEYOND the mundane materially mandated DEBT that
“Onesimus” had rightly OWED unto “Philemon”
is the spiritual eternal DEBT of which “Philemon”
originally OWED unto “Paul”
as such:
Then came
Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I
forgive him? till seven times? Jesus
saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy
times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of
heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto
him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But
forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his
wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him,
saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and
loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But
the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him
an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying,
Pay me that thou owest. And his
fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience
with me, and I will pay thee all. And he
would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were
very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto
him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou
desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also
have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the
tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye
from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses –
Matthew 18:21–35
This
poignant point of REPAYMENT
presents a perfect PICTURE rightly representing the COMPLETE and full FORGIVENSS of our “sins”
by our great “God” through the permanent POWER of
His sweet – SAVING
Gospel!
A Beautiful BLESSING!
The
SECOND mindful motivation to fully FORGIVE from
deep within
the “heart” is rightly KNOWING that “we”
can become a beautiful BLESSING unto
other
people:
Yea, brother, let me have joy of
thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. Having confidence in thy
obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say – Philemon
20-21
Brother
“Paul” had already come to
lavishly “love” his “begotten” brother “Onesimus”
of whom he had ALSO led to “Jesus Christ”
through a SAVING fulfilled “faith”
in HIM alone.
Thus, he “wrote” this loving “letter” to brother “Philemon”
with complete “confidence” in keenly “knowing” this mighty “man
of God” would indeed “do more”
than that…
If there be therefore any
consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit,
if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the
same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife
or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the
things of others – Philippians 2:1-4
Therefore,
when “we” fully FORGIVE someone
else
according to the “things of others” as such,
we’ll become a bold BLESSING unto many other people abroad. And by “looking” into the necessary “things” concerning OTHER
folks, will be rightly “refreshed”
in “heart” while dutifully DEMONSTRATING the
grand GRACE of our great “God”
by mindfully manifesting a calm “confidence”
and obvious “obedience” through HIS sweet – Spiritual
VIRTUE!
A Godly ACCOUNTABILITY!
The
THIRD mindful motivation to fully FORGIVE from
deep within
the “heart” is rightly KNOWING that “we”
are also absolutely ACCOUTABLE to godly leaders:
But withal prepare me also a
lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you – Philemon
22
Here
“Paul” requests a “prepared”
place of “lodging” with brother “Philemon” and his FAITHFUL
family. WHY? Because there MUST be a friendly follow-up on the
proposed progress of such a righteous REUNION received. And here “Paul”
announces that his anticipated arrival should not only be EXPECTED as
a “given” gift from “God”
Himself, but that “Philemon” through his
purposeful “prayers” would mightily – PRAY Paul
there!
In
fact, God’s Sovereign wonderful “Will” is very OFTEN righteously worked through the
excellent “effectual fervent prayer“
life of a “righteous man” that avidly “availeth much” mined from the POWER of a full “faith”
found IN Him:
Confess your faults one to
another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent
prayer of a righteous man availeth much – James
5:16
And
this appealing approach actually puts a gentle pressure on
brother “Philemon” to do the
righteously RIGHT thing. WHY?
Because through an awesome ACCOUNTABILITY provided by “Paul” himself, he will have to “give an account” unto his “beloved brother” and special – Spiritual LEADER!
Sweet SALUTATIONS from Paul!
As
the “Apostle Paul” carefully CONCLUDES this timely tremendous
treatise, “we” meet “Epaphras” the “fellowprisoner”
and fine FOUNDER of the Colossian family “fellowship”
to whom is most likely its PASTOR
in kind by the wonderful “the will of God”
unfeigned:
There salute thee Epaphras, my
fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus – Philemon 23
And
as a real RESULT rendered by the prophetic
saving POWER of the great
“gospel” message of “Christ Jesus” alone eternal – SALVATION ensues!
CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: Pastor “Epaphras”
was also a “fellow servant”
and the “faithful minister” of
whom had deeply “declared” of
the “Colossians” their lavish
“love in the Spirit” fully
felt FOR each other:
As ye also learned of Epaphras
our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Who also
declared unto us your love in the Spirit – Colossians 1:7-8
And
“Paul” does indeed “bear him record” by personally “writing” the loving “letter” unto the “Colossians” as an avid ANSWER to what “Epaphras” had informed him of as
he “labouring fervently” with
grand “great zeal” and in
powerful “prayers” for these PRECIOUS people in kind – A PASTORS heart!
Epaphras, who is one of you, a
servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers,
that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him
record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and
them in Hierapolis – Colossians
4:12-13
Another
one of the chief characteristics of a true “Christian” and faithful “fellow
servant” unto our great “God”
is a lavish LOVE for his
spiritual “brethren” in our “Lord Jesus Christ” abroad – Love FOR others!
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: Along with the awesome RESPONSIBILITIES of dutifully delivering
the “epistles” expressly “written” by the “Apostle
Paul” from the city of “Rome”
unto the Ephesian and Colossian congregations, we find that “Tychicus” was excellently ENTRUSTED to directly deliver
this personal “letter” unto “Philemon” in kind. And he was accompanied by
the rank run-away slave “Onesimus”
with an “appeal” for full “forgiveness” and acceptance as a
legitimate “brother” in our “Lord Jesus Christ” emphasizing the NEED for God’s “grace” received. The “man” with a SERVANT heart of whom “makes” himself AVAILABLE unto “God”
will be “used” boldly BY Him in AMAZING ways never
dreamed possible! In fact, on each of these wonderful “ministry” occasions, “Tychicus” and “Onesimus”
were PERSONALLY involved in meaningful “ministry” mandate alongside the
mighty “Apostle Paul” and were
deemed apt “ambassadors” for
our Great “God” Himself – Wonderful KINGDOM
Work!
Now let's take a look at FOUR mighty “men of
God” of whom “Paul” mindfully mentions
named “Marcus,” “Aristarchus,” “Demas” and “Lucas” as his “fellowlabourers” of whom
possessed a SYMPATHETIC heavy “heart” of
sincere SERVICE unto other
people…
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas,
Lucas, my fellowlabourers – Philemon
24
FELLOWSHIP FOLLOW-UP: As diligently discussed in our previous
studies of this excellent “epistle”
extraordinaire, the “Apostle Paul”
eventually COMMENDS brother “Marcus” himself. And although he COWARDLY had once “departed for a season” some twelve
years earlier has now become rightly RESTORED to firm FELLOWSHIP and was thus made
quite “profitable” for MUCH meaningful “ministry” unto “God” in kind:
Only Luke
is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for
the ministry – 2 Timothy 4:11
Graciously,
our “Lord Jesus Christ” would
eventually USE this man “Mark” for a mighty “ministry” as a MATURE servant of “God” in kind. HOW? By willingly “writing” the God-inspired Gospel of Mark of which bears his
very name – Usefulness FOR God!
Next
“Paul” mentions brother “Aristarchus” of whom was a “Jew” born with a “Greek” name, of which was quite common in
the Jewish Dispersion abroad.
Incidentally, his name appears in association with the “city” of “Macedonia”
as well as “Thessalonica” in
kind. And when a rank RIOT
had broken out, there was great “confusion”
throughout the “whole city” in
that “Aristarchus” and “Gaius” were “caught” by a MAD
mob. WHY? Because they were recognized
as the “Apostle Paul's” dynamic accompanying
companions:
And the whole city was filled
with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia,
Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre
– Acts 19:29
And entering into a ship of
Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one
Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us – Acts 27:2
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner
saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received
commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) – Colossians 4:10
Whatever
it was that “Aristarchus”
actually did FOR the cause
of “Jesus Christ” unfurled, he
had gladly
given up his personal freedom to DO so unto completion. Therefore, “Aristarchus” was indeed ANOTHER amazing – Faithful Friend!
Finally,
“Paul” mentions “Demas” along with “Lucas” also known as “Luke”
his personal “beloved physician”
by including them both AGAIN
in this list of BOLD brethren “written” unto brother “Philemon” in kind:
Luke, the beloved physician, and
Demas, greet you – Colossians
4:14
Doctor
“Luke” was a personal
friend and capable medical doctor unto the “Apostle Paul” himself. And it is
interesting to note that on his FIRST
missionary journey, “Paul”
was quite “sick” much of the
time. Therefore, when he “departed”
for his SECOND missionary
journey, he brought along brother “Luke”
with him. WHY? Because within “God's” wonderful “ministry”
work, He utilizes SPECIALISTS
of absolutely ALL kinds!
In fact, it was Doctor “Luke”
who wrote the New Testament
historical narrative of the early first-century “church” found within the book of Acts as well as the great Gospel of Luke bearing his own
name with perfect – PERCISION
and ACURACY!
Conversely,
“Demas” had audaciously “loved” this evil “present world” and thus had SADLY fully “forsaken” pastor “Paul”
as a result:
For Demas
hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto
Thessalonica... – 2 Timothy 4:10
Similar
to the mayhem originally CAUSED
by brothers “Mark” and “Onesimus” in kind, this man “Demas” had darkly “departed” from his MINISTRY
mandate by running away to the city of “Thessalonica” in an abhorrent abandonment
abroad. WHY? Because he FOOLISHLY fell in “love” with this LOST waning “world” system. We are NOT
to lavishly “love” this woefully – WICKED World!
In
FICKLE fashion, our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” had His jaundice “Judas” in whom to contend and the “Apostle Paul” had his daunting “Demas” in kind. These eerie EXAMPLES are
indeed – Seriously SAD Sagas!
A Great GRACE!
The
FOURTH mindful motivation to fully FORGIVE from
deep within
the “heart” is rightly KNOWING that “we”
are empowered
by the great GRACE
of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” in kind:
The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with your spirit. Amen – Philemon 25
Beloved,
full FORGIVENESS grants
“God’s” great mercy!
It provides comfort! It brings joy! It pleads for love!
It demonstrates obedience! It brings an eager END to silly self-pity along
with vindictive vengeance and it THWARTS
the evil
of “Satan” himself…
Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted
of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him,
lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore
I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. For to this end also
did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all
things. To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for if I forgave anything,
to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an
advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices – 2 Corinthians 2:6-11
An ENCOURAGING Ending!
And
just HOW did this sweet story of FORGIVENESS end? There is NO doubt that brother “Philemon” had faithfully FORGIVEN brother
“Onesimus” fully. And as a real
result, the ENTIRE fellowship of “churches”
would have KNOWN all about this precious example as well! In
fact, extra-Biblical history records
that a certain man named “Onesimus”
eventually became the appointed “pastor”
of the “church” body meeting in Ephesus abroad. And who knows, perhaps
he was the very – SAME man…
*ANTICIPATED APPLICATION* Our full FORGIVENESS does
NOT necessarily guarantee there
will be a right RECOVERY in kind. Are “we”
to FORGIVE in
full from the HEART? – YES! However, a restored
right RELATIONSHIP will indeed only come WHEN and IF
the offending “sinner” comes back
and seriously SEEKS to Biblically establish a real “heart” change resulting in a right– RECONCILIATION, RESTORATION
and RESTITUTION!
Take heed to yourselves: If thy
brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And
if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn
again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him – Luke 17:3-4
Beloved,
our “heart” must NOT
hold a griping GRUDGE or belligerent BITTERNESS as “we”
rightly reach out to that offending person with the LOVE from on High! Much akin to the “sinning” brandish “brother”
within the Corinthian congregation…
It is
reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as
is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's
wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done
this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged
already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered
together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh,
that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven
leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old
leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our
passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep
the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and
wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth – 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
And
this dastardly “deed” of fierce “fornication” representing the looming “leaven of malice and wickedness” was faithfully followed
by a full FORGIVENESS deeply “determined” towards this rightly REPENTANT bothered
“brother” as the Corinthian congregation moves to
confidently “confirm” their “love” concerning a real RECONCILIATION, RESTORATION
and RESTITUTION
in kind:
But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again
to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me
glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? And I wrote this same unto you,
lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice;
having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of
much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that
ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more
abundantly unto you. But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but
in part: that I may not overcharge you all. Sufficient to such a man is this
punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather
to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up
with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love
toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of
you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive anything, I
forgive also: for if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes
forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us:
for we are not ignorant of his devices – 2 Corinthians 2:1-11
This
is the very kind of fantastic FORGIVENESS of which our “Lord Jesus Christ” illustrated for “us” on the cruel crass “cross” of a “Calvary”
carnage:
Then said
Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment,
and cast lots – Luke 23:34
These
menacing men were NOT even ASKING for His eternal FORGIVENESS,
but He had already made it AVAILABLE to them! And “God”
expressed the absence of a personal vile VENGEANCE against these pious people that had NAILED Him
on that crass “cross” itself. The Honorable
HEART of
“Jesus Christ” is indeed the great GRACE of our great “God” through His – Fantastic
FORGIVENESS!
Such
is the POWER of faithful FORGIVENESS
in kind – AMEN!
In
closing:
REMNANT REMINDER: This excellent “epistle” lovingly “written” unto brother “Philemon” is a very IMPORTANT book,
even though it may seem inconsequential on the surface.
It is only one chapter in length and has been divided into
twenty-five rather short verses. And although it is very PERSONAL in
nature, at first glance it doesn’t appear to contain deep
“doctrines” nor any firm confrontations
of significant theological “error”
as such. However, our “Lord”
has indeed INCLUDED this terrific text as an INSPIRED writing
of the “Holy Spirit” Himself –
For OUR spiritual EDIFICATION!
Throughout
ALL of the “Scriptures” themselves, “we” find REPLETE with dire directives carefully COMMANDING those
of “us” that BELONG unto
“our” loving “Lord Jesus Christ” to fully “forgive” the wrongs
suffered by other people. And NO one is MORE like
“God the Father” Himself than
when they “forgive” from the “heart” completely. WHY? Because HE too is a “forgiving
Father” as such…
And
forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For
thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you: But if ye
forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses – Matthew 6:12–15
And be ye kind
one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's
sake hath forgiven you – Ephesians 4:32
Forbearing one
another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even
as Christ forgave you, so also do ye – Colossians 3:13
Therefore,
the “Apostle
Paul” provides further INSTRUCTION
penned to “Philemon” on the
subject of “forgiving”
found here within the shortest of all his “epistles” regarding the Biblical definition
of faithful FORGIVENESS
itself – Without EVER using the word!
REAL
REFLECTIONS: Are you a “Christian” who fully FORGIVES
other folks? The pinnacle of full FORGIVENESS is the eternal example given by our “Lord Jesus Christ” Himself. And the greatest
act of TREACHERY done against anyone was by the HANDS of heinous humans against
Him. And yet He “said” to His “Father” on THEIR behalf:
Then said
Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do… – Luke
23:34a
And
even though they were DOING what “God the Father”
Sovereignly wanted DONE unto “Jesus Christ”
the “Son” Himself, it did NOT lessen their – PERSONAL culpability!
Please begin reading through the excellent book of Philemon concerning
our “command” to lovingly LIVE out our “lives” in
complete Faithful Forgiveness unto others – AMEN!
Praise the Lord Jesus
Christ!We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"
