6/22 Strength for Today

The Power of Forgiveness

Philemon 1:12
“Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:”

One of the most powerful tools that God allows us to use in life is the tool of forgiveness. Forgiveness is something that God commands us to do, and He has completely left it up to us. God will not force us to forgive others, though He would like us to practice it. Those who have wronged us cannot make us forgive them. It is completely in our power to forgive or not to forgive.

In the verse above, Paul asked Philemon to practice the power of forgiveness on Onesimus. Onesimus stole something from Philemon and was in prison for his crime. While in prison, Paul led Onesimus to Christ and had discipled him into a fine young Christian. Realizing the potential that Onesimus had, Paul personally asked Philemon to forgive him. Though in the Book of Philemon we never learned if Philemon forgave Onesimus, we learn in the Book of Colossians 4:9 that he did. In fact, in this verse we see that Onesimus became a faithful servant of God and also became a preacher of the Gospel.

Think with me about how powerful the tool of forgiveness was in the life of Onesimus. If Philemon would not have forgiven Onesimus, then how many people would have never heard the Gospel of Christ preached? The power of forgiveness in this man's life allowed God to do a greater work through him. Because Philemon practiced forgiveness, he also would receive rewards from the fruit from Onesimus' ministry.

Who is it that you refuse to forgive? Christian, if you would use it, the power of forgiveness can literally change someone's life. Though someone may have done something that was very wrong, your lack of forgiving them may cause God not to be able to do the work He wants to do in their life. I would hate to think that my lack of forgiveness is holding God back from doing a great work in someone's life. You don't want that hanging over your head. If you would forgive that person who has wronged you, that would allow God to do a work through them that you could not imagine. Don't hold God back from using someone in a great way because you won't forgive them.

Furthermore, if you will forgive someone, and God does great works through them because of your forgiveness, you will receive the rewards for the fruit that comes from their life. Imagine how much more fruit you could receive from God if you would just forgive that one who has wronged you. Not only is your lack of forgiveness causing God to not be able to do the work through them that He would like to do, but it is also keeping you from receiving rewards that you could receive if you would forgive them.

Christian, don't hold grudges! Learn that the power of forgiveness can change someone's life. If you will practice forgiveness, you are the one to unleash that power. Don't squelch the power of God, but unleash it and forgive. If you will, your rewards will be that much greater.