“The effects of forgiveness reach far. They extend beyond us and our four walls, touching those around us, those we love and those with whom we seek to share our faith. Yes, forgiveness is that important …”
This is a wonderful book on the book of Philemon. It has a warmth about it for the characters in the story which brings them to life and easily lets us picture them as “people,” not just names in the Bible to read about.
Abshire brings Paul’s apostolic motives into full view as he gently guides Philemon, in the spirit of Jesus’ teachings, toward an attitude of genuine forgiveness for his runaway slave Onesimus. He also backs up every word and phrase of the book with the full throated Scripture references expected in a commentary.
You’ll also hear Abshire’s heart here, the heart of a disciple yearning to tell the world about what he’s discovered about forgiveness in the Gospel:
“… Like a ripple in the water, forgiveness changes those around us. In particular, it refreshes the hearts of those involved – especially those who have spent time and energy building up our lives at their own expense. Forgiveness refreshes the hearts of our family.”
Jacob Abshire (2009), Forgiveness: A Commentary on Philemon