Restoration

Bible Reading: Philemon 1:1-25

Restoration of relationships is critical. Many carry the burden of broken relationships, unresolved due to ego, unforgiveness, and selfishness. 

Onesimus was a runaway slave.  He ran away from Philemon, his master, who lived in Colosse.  Colosse was a city located about 120 miles east of Ephesus in Asia Minor.  How this runaway slave ended up in Rome, which is more than 1,200 miles away, is not mentioned in the Bible.  But Onesimus met Paul, who was in a Roman prison, and Paul, in his own way, led Onesimus to the Lord!  We can see the gracious hand of the Lord in the life of Onesimus.

Whenever I read this one-chapter epistle, I always thought Paul was being a bit bossy, pointing out how much Philemon owed Paul.  But this time, when I read it, another essential aspect caught my attention.

Paul need not have sent Onesimus back to Philemon.  Onesimus had done something wrong and then escaped from Colosse.  Under Roman law, the slave master could just kill him.  But now, Onesimus has become a believer.  Paul wanted to allow Philemon to forgive a person who had actually wronged him. That was restoring a broken relationship!

If Philemon had harboured bitterness in his heart about this runaway slave, he would be condemned, as per the teaching of Christ (Matthew 6:12). Paul knew Philemon to be a genuine believer.  So he boldly sent Onesimus back to him for that very purpose.  Forgiving those who wrong us is just as important as accepting one’s own fault and seeking forgiveness!

Some families are split because their members struggle to accept their mistakes and seek forgiveness.  Some families are divided because they are not able to forgive those who have wronged them.  Churches and ministries are also divided due to egos.  The world looks down upon those who ask for forgiveness and calls them weak. However, it requires more character and mental strength to do that. 

My friend, forgiving those who have wronged us is crucial for our own well-being.  If we have hurt someone, going to that person and saying sorry is equally essential.   Is there a relationship problem in your family or in your church?  Be the first person to apologise.  It will pave the way for God’s blessing in your life. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to be humble in accepting my own faults and forgive those who have hurt me so that I can enjoy Your forgiveness in my life and enjoy restored relationships. Amen.