In reading Philemon, I realized that we all have an Onesimus in our lives. And we are an Onesimus to some people too! How you may ask? We do not own slaves anymore! This is modern times! Absolutely!
An Onesimus is someone that have stolen something from us! They may have stolen ideals, money, or precious moments from us.
They may have stolen a piece of our trust in people, system, or relationships due to betrayal. They may have stolen our self esteem by emotional, and psychological abuse.
An Onesimus is someone that has chipped away some of our social perception by spreading untruth, gossips, bad-mouthing us or speaking ill of us in our community.
As Paul appealed to Philemon, we must forgive such. Perhaps the reason they were separated from us for a little while was that we might have them forever as brethren, said Paul in verse 15.
Friends, the truth is that we hold grudges against all that have stolen from us. There’s a part that thinks we have forgiven but then, when we remember the action, the pain they have caused us, we realize we still hurt.
The people that we have helped in the past, been a friend to, a confidant, been close to, housed, been kind to, intimate with, when they turn their backs to us, and stab us in the back, it hurts!
Apostle Paul says we should forgive this debt, debt of apologies and restitution that we may never get. This is for our own good. They may have met Paul, Christ Jesus and are on the narrow path while we are still slugging with us the pain they caused us!
Jesus Christ also thought us in the Lord’s prayer to forgive so we can be forgiven Matthew 6:9-15.
This season, I implore us to make up our minds and ask God for grace to forgive all debt so all ours will be forgiven too!
We need clean slate to run this race! May we all find it in our hearts to forgive and receive forgiveness in Jesus mighty name Amen.
Shalom! Shalom!
Radiant Glory Of Love 