Bible Study - One Another - Forgive One Another - Colossians 3 and Philemon - August 14, 2011

Bible Study – One Another – Forgive One Another – August 14, 2011
This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “One Anothering.”
Our scripture is Colossians 3:12-13; Philemon 8-22.

Our focus in this lesson is on forgiveness. To forgive someone of something they have done to you is very difficult. I have heard of family members being mad at each other for years and don’t recall why they were mad at each other.

The Apostle Paul was under house arrest in Rome for two (2) years. During this time he wrote four letters, known as the Prison Epistles. The letters were Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. The focus of these letters was on the person of CHRIST and Christian living. Christians represent the love of CHRIST to a lost world. Godly love in believers is vital because it lets them and others know they have been born-again. It also bonds them with their brothers and sisters in CHRIST. GOD loved them so much that HE allowed HIS ONLY SON, JESUS, to come to earth to live as a human. CHRIST gave HIS life to pay the sin debt each person owes. Because of agape love flowing from GOD through CHRIST to all who believe, HE expects HIS children to show this love toward their fellow brothers and sisters and others. Christians must keep in mind the GOD hates sin but loves the sinner.

As we have been discussing, to arrive at the point of loving as CHRIST loves us is achieved through the process of sanctification. It is the renewing of the mind and dying to self as Christians build an intimate relationship with CHRIST and yield to the working of the HOLY SPIRIT in their lives. Salvation begins this process and opens the way for building a personal relationship with GOD through CHRIST.

This sets the foundation for the ability to forgive. As Christians comprehend what CHRIST did for them in forgiving their sins, which were so great, they must also forgive a brother or sister in CHRIST of the small things, in comparison.

Let’s read Colossians 3:1-11: (Background leading to our focus scripture. Notice the word “therefore,” which links what Paul had written to the point he was making. He was dispelling distortions of the gospel taught by false teachers.)

The Life of the New Man
1 So if you have been raised with the • Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. 4 When the Messiah, who is your[1] life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5 Therefore, put to death whatever in you is worldly:[2] sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, God’s wrath comes on the disobedient,[3] 7 and you once • walked in these things when you were living in them. 8 But now you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his practices 10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of his Creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian,[4] slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.

Regardless of your nationality, race, slave or free, when you asked CHRIST to forgive you of your sins, believed that HE died for you upon the cross, believed that GOD raised HIM from the dead as proof that HIS death paid the price for all of your sins, thus conquering sin and its consequence, death, there is nothing else you have to do to be a Christian. You have the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT, WHO confirms that you are GOD’S child – which leads into verse 12.

Let’s read Colossians 3:12-13:
The Christian Life
12 Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must [forgive]* . 14 Above all, [put on]* love—the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. 16 Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

The Apostle Paul had used the illustration of taking off your old life like you would take off dirty clothes and putting on clean clothes. When a person accepts CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR, HIS blood washes him/her whiter than snow. Do you recall 2 Corinthians 5:22 - 21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. The shed blood of JESUS washes away all sin – past, present and future – true Christians are made pure and put on the righteousness of CHRIST. And, as such, they can come into the very throne room of GOD, their heavenly FATHER, and call HIM, Daddy.

GOD chose all people before the foundations of the world to be restored to the original relationship HE intended through CHRIST. Some have chosen HIM but others have rejected HIM by rejecting CHRIST. So when Paul stated they were chosen, they had fulfilled GOD’S desire for them because they had chosen CHRIST. Have you chosen CHRIST as your SAVIOR? If not, please do so right now.

Paul continued his message to the Christians in Colosse by reminding them of the attributes of the fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT produced in their lives – compassion, humility, gentleness and patience - accepting one another. Then he gets to the heart of the problem for many Christians – forgiving one another, just as CHRIST has forgiven you.

In essence, Paul was saying consider the huge debt of sins that GOD has forgiven you through CHRIST and compare that to the small things that a fellow Christian or non-Christian has done to you. As you have been forgiven, also, forgive.

It is interesting that the Greek word Paul used for “forgive” is the verb form of the word for “grace.” It carries the idea of showing favor even toward those who antagonize us. This is very hard to do in your own strength and I believe it is only possible through the intimate relationship Christians have with CHRIST. When a Christian has the right relationship with CHRIST, by being grafted into the vine (CHRIST), then HIS nature flows through him/her to others.

Forgiving is a hard thing to do. That is why Paul reminded the Christians in Colosse that they were saved by grace and they should extend grace to others. Grace is unmerited favor. The person does not deserve it and is incapable of earning it. It is a free gift. Besides my SAVIOR and LORD, JESUS, I think of my wife.

An unforgiving nature is a barrier toward unity. Love conquers bitterness and unforgiveness. Love is the cement that bonds people together. I know some reject that love and what can one do? Love him/her whether or not he/she returns that love - very hard to do. Only through CHRIST can that be done.

Paul was telling the Christians then and us today to focus upon the love that GOD and CHRIST had for them and rejoice in that knowledge by accepting and forgiving others. It is the power of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT that brings healing to your minds and hearts such that you can truly be thankful for knowing that you have been forgiven and you, in turn, forgive others.

We move to the application of forgiveness in our next scripture.

First the lead-in scripture: (The Apostle Paul was writing a personal letter to his friend and fellow Christian Philemon – Apphia was likely Philemon’s wife and Archippus was likely his son. Paul mentions Archippus in Colossians 4:17 - 17 And tell Archippus, “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.” Paul was under house arrest in Rome.)
Greeting

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, our brother: To Philemon, our dear friend and co-worker, 2 to Apphia our sister,[1] to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house. 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Love and Faith
4 I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and faith toward[2] the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. 6 [I pray]* that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us[3] for [the glory of]* Christ. 7 For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Onesimus (Oh NESS ih muhs) had been a slave of Philemon (Figh LEE muhn) but had run away and connected with Paul in Rome. Paul led him to CHRIST and had talked him into returning to his master, Philemon. Paul mentioned Onesimus in his letter to the Christians in Colosse – Colossians 4:7-8 - 7 Tychicus, a loved brother, a faithful servant, and a fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are,[1] and so that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is with Onesimus, a faithful and loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

Paul trusted the delivery of three (3) letters, Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon, to Tychicus and Onesimus. The first letter was delivered to the Christians in Ephesus. They then traveled some 130 miles home to deliver Paul’s letter to the Christians in Colosse and for Onesimus to deliver Paul’s letter to Philemon.

Let’s read Philemon 8-16:
An Appeal for Onesimus
8 For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right, 9 I appeal, instead, on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an elderly man[4] and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus, 10 appeal to you for my child, whom I fathered[5] while in chains—Onesimus.[6] 11 Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful to both you and me. 12 I am sending him—a part of myself[7]—back to you.[8] 13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place. 14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will. 15 For perhaps this is why he was separated [from you]* for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. This is especially so to me, but even more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.[9]

Paul was appealing to Philemon as a fellow laborer for CHRIST. He knew the heart that Philemon had for reaching those in need of CHRIST. So he appealed to him, as a true believer, to treat Onesimus, now a new Christian, as he would anyone else who had done something wrong, repented, asked for forgiveness and sought to be restored.

It is interesting that a runaway slave found Paul in Rome. But he did and Paul led him to CHRIST. GOD is always at work to bring salvation to those who seek HIM. The HOLY SPIRIT led him to minister to Paul, so Paul could minister to him.

Onesimus running away had a divine purpose – salvation for Onesimus, help for Paul and an opportunity for Philemon to show forgiveness to Onesimus as CHRIST had forgiven him. We know the character of Philemon based upon Paul’s description and see the trust that Paul had in his Christian maturity that he would do right by Onesimus. It was an opportunity for Philemon to put what he knew Spiritually into action.

Paul did not mince words regarding Onesimus. He acknowledged that Onesimus was useless to Philemon at the time he escaped. However, he knew that at one time Onesimus had been very useful to him. Onesimus means “useful.” Paul stated that since Onesimus had become a Christian, his life had changed. He was useful to Paul and would also be useful to Philemon.

It seems that there was contention between Onesimus and Philemon and that is why Onesimus left. Now that Onesimus was a brother in CHRIST, this could restore their relationship on a different level. His running away was GOD’S way of not only saving him Spiritually but also of restoring to Philemon, as a fellow Christian and productive worker. He would again be useful to him because his service would come from a changed heart and attitude, not because he was a slave.

Paul was saying, in essence, if you can accept him back it would not only make me know you have the right heart but more especially you will reap the joy for forgiving him and restoring him as a brother in CHRIST. Your relationship with him will be a common bond through CHRIST.
It is tough to forgive. As Christians, when we forgive it restores our relationship not only with the person with whom we have a problem but with our LORD. There is unity and harmony.

Let’s read Philemon 17-22:
17 So if you consider me a partner, accept him as you would me. 18 And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, may I have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 But meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
Paul was pleading the case for Onesimus to be forgiven and restored not as a slave but as a brother in CHRIST. What may have gone through Philemon’s mind, after-all Onesimus was an investment? Would he set him free and lose that investment or consider him as a slave and treat him accordingly? What would you have done?
Paul made a heartfelt plea for Philemon to accept him back and treat him as a brother and not to hold what he had done against him. If Onesimus owed him money, then Paul would pay him, with a quick caveat that Philemon owed Paul a debt.
Paul again, in essence, was saying, so make me proud by restoring Onesimus as your brother in CHRIST and not holding anything against him because he has truly been born-again. He is a changed person and you will see that when he returns to you. You need him as much as he needs you. So make me proud by doing what you know in your heart you should do, as a mature Christian.

Paul topped off his words with the statement that “knowing that you will do even more than I say.” It seems to me that Paul’s last statement, in essence was, just in case you have any hesitation in doing the right thing, I plan to come visit you when I get out of prison. I am planning to make sure you treat Onesimus as you should.
I can see the concern that Paul had for Onesimus. He had talked him into doing the right thing by returning to Philemon and he wanted it to be a positive encounter for both of his brothers in CHRIST. Restoration was the goal. Onesimus would not have to be on the run for the rest of his life and it would bring healing to his and Philemon’s relationship.

Is there someone you need to forgive? Forgiveness is the first step toward reconciliation. Don’t harbor unforgiveness in your heart. It will rob you of your joy in CHRIST.