Bring Forgiveness Back
I understand how we preach it and teach it and say that you should be willing to forgive people even if they don't ask.
Season 5, Episode 22 · Bring Forgiveness Back
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The story behind the idea
Even if it means being ungracious or unkind to another friend of theirs who just so happens to not be in the room at the time. Ultimately, it's just this crazy little creepy thing called gossip that even families and God's own people fall victim to. What I'm saying to you is we can have more forgiveness, sought and extended. The other friends, the peer group, the other family members, the other churchgoers, the people who know everyone involved need to become more of a healing factor than a dividing one.
What stands out
Look, this question we always ask, should I forgive someone who has sinned against me if they do not ask, is always going to be tough. My best answer, I think, is you should always have a heart that desires it like Jesus did. You should pray for it, you should do everything in your power to effect it. We also don't want to send this signal that repentance isn't needed, that nobody even needs to ask forgiveness anymore.
Why it matters
He's actually in a rented quarters where people can come and go and he can teach the gospel. Maybe Onisimus was feeling bad about what he had done or just searching for hope in his life. He probably knew about Paul already because of the history of the Colossae Church in Philemon. So Onisimus goes and visits Paul and obeys the gospel.
A faithful way forward
He finally decided to make his life right with Jesus, and he went to his father and said, I need to make this right. His father didn't say, Everything is fine, don't worry about it.
Put it into practice
It's not just the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be in your spirit, though we all pray that it is. It's not just something that you wonderfully receive, but something you willingly carry with you to share with others.
Take the idea with you.
- 01What idea from this study most needs my attention right now?
- 02Where does this challenge the way I am currently thinking or living?
- 03What is one faithful step I can take this week?
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