Forgiveness is Hard to Do
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, help me to listen to he Holy Spirit as I reach out to help those in need of forgiveness. Amen.
“Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you.” …. “So, if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.” Philemon 1:8-12,17 (NIV)
REFLECT:
I know of a modern-day situation that was like the one Paul writes to Philemon about. A young pastor, Tony, got himself into a situation that led to a moral failure. He had been warned about spending too much time behind closed doors with an emotionally needy female. He felt he was above letting the situation become a problem. He failed and it led to an affair between them. Once the congregation and staff members realized what was happening, he was let go.
A pastor friend of his, Bernie, in another community heard about the situation and invited Tony and his wife to move to his community in another state. Bernie got Tony a good job (not in ministry) that used his skills and counseled the couple. This saved their marriage and family. Today Tony is a very successful businessman serving the Lord through mentoring the homeless in a rescue mission in the city.
As Paul did for Onesimus Bernie did for Tony. He reached out and healed a man for Christ so he would be valuable to the Kingdom.
APPLY:
Who do you know that you can reach out and touch for Christ’s service? To make this happen it takes a lot of investment of time and energy. There will be ups and downs as you move down the road to recovery, but it is very worthwhile when successful.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, help me trust in you with all my heart; and to not lean on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) as I reach out to help others who need to be brought back into obedience to you. Teach me your example of forgiveness. Amen.
WORSHIP: