When people have done something for you, it’s not easy to just forgive and move on as if nothing happened. When someone has offended you, forgiveness is not necessarily on your to-do list. Otherwise.

I suspect that this is one of the main reasons why Paul is writing the letter to Philemon. He wants Philemon to take away the slave who had bothered him so much. But to do that, Philemon first has to walk the path of forgiveness. And that is not so easy.

17 So if you consider me a partner, receive it as you would receive me.

Onesimus had done something very bad. We don’t know exactly what he had done, but what we conclude from the letter is that he had not only run away from his owner, but also stolen from him.

Onesimus ended up where most of those people end up: in prison. Where he met Paul and was taken to give his heart to the Lord. God changed him and forgave all his sins. Onesimus became a new person.

Now it’s up to Philemon to decide. And isn’t that exactly how it usually is in life? The one who suffered wrong, the one who did nothing wrong, ends with the difficult part: forgiving the one who did wrong.

How often do we hear of cheating spouses coming back and asking for forgiveness? And the one who has suffered so much pain, the one who has been humiliated, sits with rivers of tears and a mountain of forgiveness in front of him or her.

Is not easy. It is a hard road where you have to tear off a piece of yourself. There should be no thought of retribution and taking revenge on the person and trust and hope should be restored.

Sometimes it’s too much to ask.

Paul suspected, perhaps from experience, that it would be difficult for Philemon to forgive and win back his runaway robber slave. So, he asks Filemon to see him as a friend and no longer as a slave. Onesimus is now a brother in Christ, and who would want to reject his brother?

Often the pain caused by the crimes of others is indescribable. It takes a long time to heal. Sometimes, no, actually most of the time, it never fully heals. A scab remains, a scab that periodically breaks open.

Maybe you have such a scab. Maybe you can’t take the path of forgiveness. And without getting ahead of myself, I would like to ask you to sit at our Father’s feet and allow Him to help you with His Holy Spirit to walk the path of Jesus’ forgiveness.

Then you will free yourself from the heavy baggage you carry and joy will once again knock on your door.

Holy Scripture

Philemon 1:15-20

Reflection

Where does it hurt?

Where is it hard for you to forgive?

What do you have to do differently?

Prayer

Lord, it is not easy to forgive. In reality, it is impossible for me to forgive and forget the way you have taught me and expect of me. I know it’s only possible when You help me to do it, please Lord. I long to follow your example and forgive as you forgive me every day. Amen.

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