1. Admit when you have done wrong and feel BAD!

“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me.” (Philemon 1:1-11)

Evidently, Onesimus had done his master, Philemon, WRONG…probably stolen from his trusted master. Guilt and shame always follows sin in a child of God. King David experienced that when he committed adultery and murder with Bathsheba and Uriah. All sin is against God. But it may also be against another. David cried out,

“For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. “4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psa 51:4,5)

David not only hurt mentally, but physically and spiritually!

“8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.” (Psa 51:8,9)

Are you feeling BAD? Done wrong?

2. Admit when you’ve been done WRONG and are MAD!

“10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.” (Philemon 1:10-14)

Are you MAD because of people who took advantage of you? Financially. Physically. Relationally. Sexually. Occupationally?

Philemon had been taken advantage of by Onesimus.

Any parents or spouses or children feeling MAD because of family? Alcoholic home, drug abuse, lying, deceiving, stealing, manipulation …etc.

3. Go from BAD to MAD to GLAD!

“For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.” (Philemon 1:15 -21)

It appears that Paul was instrumental in helping Onesimus make things Right with the Lord Jesus (forgiven). Now, if he wants the blessings from God, he must make things Right with his master, Philemon.

Are you willing to make restitution through confession? Saying I’m sorry and really meaning it is very difficult. God works a godly sorrow in our heart.

But also look at Philemon. He must “let it go”! That is the only way he is going to go from MAD to GLAD!