Your Daily Devotional for September 20, 2006

 

September 20, 2006

 

Restoring Fellowship

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me.”

 

Philemon 8-11

  

Have you ever been so upset with someone that you never wanted to speak to them again? It is very easy to become angry with people, but it is not very easy to forgive someone. As we see in today’s verses, Paul was writing to Philemon to ask him to forgive Onesimus, his servant, for running away.

 

Paul could have demanded that Philemon forgive Onesimus based on Paul’s apostolic authority, but forgiveness cannot be mandated. It is not true forgiveness if it is forced. Paul says in verses 17 and 18, “If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.” The word “partner” in verse 17 means “a companion” or “to have fellowship.” Paul is asking him to receive Onesimus back into his family based on their close companionship or fellowship.

 

How many times have we said sorry but not really meant it? Who have you “forgiven” but still hold feelings of bitterness and hurt against? Saying you forgive someone does not automatically mean that you have forgotten about the injustice they did to you. It is not an easy thing to let go of hurt feelings, but God can help you.

 

Romans 12:18 says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” God wants us to live in peace with everyone! You may be saying, “Yeah right! That is too hard!” It may seem impossible but look at what Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  Christ says that we can do all things through Him! He promises to help us!

 

When someone wrongs you, remember that Christ knows how you feel! The people that He came to save from an eternal hell denied Him, spat on Him, beat Him, mocked Him, plucked His beard out, and then crucified Him! Yet what did He say after they had done this? “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34a) He forgave them!

 

A reporter once asked professional baseball pitcher Curt Schilling if he was angry with Barry Bonds over an incident that happened earlier in the season. Schilling said, “We had a falling out, but since I became a Christian in 1997, I lost my ability to hate anybody.”

 

Friend, who have you not truly forgiven? What feelings of bitterness and hurt are you still holding onto? Living with pain is no way for a Christian to live! Give those feelings to the Lord and restore fellowship with that person today.

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