To be or not to be... a Reign-person.
Phlm 7-20; Lk 17: 20-25
Paul does not request or exhort Philemon to forgive and accept Onesimus. He almost commands and takes for granted that it is done. This is because forgiveness, love and union of hearts are no more options to choose from. They are to be the very way of life, because: the Reign of God is amidst us.
Misunderstandings between husband and wife, misgivings between the families, the bitter experience of past, nothing of these can give me an excuse to remain stubborn in my shell and refuse to build communion. That would be considered an anomaly. There is no more a sense magnanimity in forgiving... it is after all what I am expected to do, the normal way of being... because the Reign of God is within me!
In short, there is no choice between living a Christian or not on a daily basis... I am either a Reign-person or an anti Reign person... the choice is mine!