Onesimus
Good Wednesday to you,
Which is easier – to forgive someone or to ask for forgiveness? Both can be challenging, but I’d say the easier one is to forgive someone. Philemon was asked by Paul to forgive Onesimus. Onesimus needed to ask Philemon to forgive him. Paul "brokered" the restoration through his understanding of the Gospel.
While we looked at Philemon last Sunday, this Sunday we looked at it from Onesimus' point of view. Why did he do it? Why did Onesimus go back? I think it was because of his relationship with Christ. It was the right thing to do, even though it was hard, and it might result in his death. He trusted in the Lord. He also trusted in his relationship with Paul. Paul was after restorative justice, not punitive justice. When the time was right, and Onesimus was ready to go back, Paul wrote a "character reference" for him and urged Philemon to receive Onesimus back, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ.
Sometimes you may find yourself in Philemon's "sandals," offering forgiveness, sometimes as Onesimus, asking for forgiveness, and sometimes as Paul, brokering forgiveness that leads to reconciliation and restoration. This amazing narrative reminds us that when it comes to seeking forgiveness, be it from God or anyone else, it starts with being honest with ourselves. If we cannot be honest with ourselves, we cannot be honest with God.
In his book, Apprenticeship with Jesus, Gary Moon reminds us not to be "vampire Christians," who get just a little bit of blood to cover our sins, but not a total transfusion that leads to genuine transformation. In the "second day" chapter, Gary re-works the 12-Step program from AA and presents it as "12 Confessions" for someone who desires to be transformed into the image of Jesus. If you are looking for a good read (we read this book together back in 2012) I'd recommend it highly.
Next week is the beginning of Advent. I hope you will begin preparing your heart to celebrate the birth of our Savior while remembering that the promise is for two Advents, not just one. Advent is a time to remember the coming of the Lord, once as a Suffering Servant, and the second coming as the Conquering King!
I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. May we be a blessing to all we encounter for the Glory of God.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
