PT-4 Intro. to Philemon 8-18

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7/9/2017 8:01 PM

My Worship Time                                                                  Focus:  PT-4 Intro to Philemon 8-18

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Philemon 8-18

            Message of the verses:  In our SD for this evening we will continue looking at the important subject of the eight foundational elements of a biblical doctrine of forgiveness by looking at numbers 6-8.

            “Sixth, an unforgiving spirit makes believers unfit for worship.” Let us look at Matthew 5:23-24 “23  "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24  leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” 

            John MacArthur writes “It should be noted that reconciliation, forgiveness, and restoration can and should be initiated by either party.  Maybe the one who has something against you has not asked for forgiveness and is enjoying his bitterness.  God and offer forgiveness anyway.  Seek reconciliation.  Maybe you have offended him and never asked forgiveness.  Go and ask.

            “Unforgiveness makes Christians unfit for fellowship not only with other believers, but also with God.  Worshiping God, though living in an unrestored relationship with another believer, is hypocrisy.”

            “Seventh, the injuries and offenses believers suffer are their trials and temptations.”  Once more we want to go to the Sermon on the Mount and look at Matthew 5:44-45 “44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”  MacArthur adds “If we obey that command and forgive those who offend us, their offense becomes a trial.  It will produce growth and strength in our lives.  If we disobey and refuse to forgive, it becomes a temptation resulting in sin.  We should be little concerned about the actions of others against us.  We should be greatly concerned that our response makes them a trial and not a temptation.”

            “Eight, forgiveness should be given even if it is not sought.”  The best example of this is found from the cross of Christ as just before He dies He says “Father, forgive them.”  We can be assured that those who crucified Christ were not looking for Him to forgive them, but He did anyway.  Steven said pretty much the same thing that Jesus did right before he died from those who were stoning him.  I believe that Steven learned this from what he had heard the Lord did and felt the same way.  MacArthur adds “Though the relationship will never be restored until the offending person desires forgiveness, still we are not to hold a grudge, but forgive from the heart and be free from any bitterness—showing only love and mercy.”

            As we looked at these eight foundational elements of a biblical doctrine of forgiveness we can see that in and of ourselves they are impossible to follow.  When we are hurt because of what someone has done to us it is at times hard to get over, but if we pray about this and ask the Lord to give us the grace to do what He desires for us to do we will be showing that we love the Lord by following the commandments that He has given us to forgive others. 

            We will be looking at verses eight and nine in our next SD which will be the last SD looking at the introduction to verses 8-18.

7/9/2017 8:26 PM