Revenge or Forgiveness? - Philemon Pt. 4
The very center of Paul’s appeal for forgiveness is the reflection of Christ’s call for us all to forgive. While he could appeal to his authority over us and say, “I am God and I command you to forgive!” the Lord doesn't do that. He appeals to our relationship with him, his love and compassion for us, and tells us to emulate that forgiving relationship into the lives of others.
The Beauty of Forgiveness
If we intentionally make it our aim to forgive our “enemies” as Jesus did, what would your community look like?
Gorgeous. Stunning. Attractive. Dazzling. A bright light in a dark world!
Beautiful.
The Character of a Forgiver - Philemon Pt. 3
If you were the one who had been wronged and now true reconciliation was possible how would you respond? What would it look like if you held all the cards and the one who hurt you had his future or his very life in your hands?
Building a Culture of Forgiveness - Philemon Pt. 2
While Philemon gives no doctrinal commands to us today, it practically demonstrates for us how to apply the principles for biblical forgiveness and reconciliation in the middle of a messy culture from the first century until today.
A Community of Forgiveness: Philemon - Part 1
What I love about this book is that Paul teaches us by example that estranged relationships still matter. Christ’s work of reconciling us to God, forgiving us of our sins, is beautifully reflected in our relationships when those who bear His name work towards reconciliation wherever possible.
Stop Trying to Save ‘The Marriage’
Are you trying to save your marriage…or your relationship with your spouse? Think again what you are fighting for. Your marriage or your spouse? Because even though we use those terms synonymously, those two are not necessarily the same thing. It’s time to stop trying to save ‘the marriage.’
Choosing Option C in Your Marriage
Just like Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves to try to fix their problems, many counselors and therapists will give a lot of tips and tools on how to communicate better, how to have better sex, how to have a better spouse before the weekend, how to do, do, do. Yet for all of our best efforts, we will fall frustratingly short of God’s ultimate design and purpose for marriage.
Reconciling the Irreconcilable
You want something to be a certain way but your spouse stubbornly can’t see things the “correct way” and wants something else. So now what?