Philemon 8-218 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.

Philemon 8-2115 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

Hebrews 10:16-1816 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Do we realize what the blood of Christ gives us?

“You Were Washed”

• 1 Cor. 6:9-11 – Even the vilest of sinners can have his sins washed away

• These are the words of Paul, the chief of sinners, who also had his sins washed away – Acts 22:16 (1 Tim. 1:12-16)

• A Christian’s sins have been washed in the blood of the Lamb – Rev. 1:5; 5:8-10; 7:14

•Our sins are not washed away because we deserve it! We are forgiven according to God’s mercy! – cf. Tit. 3:1-8 (note Matt. 6:14-15)

“He Will Cleanse You”

• 1 John 1:5-2:2 – As Christians, we can have our sins cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ

• James admonishes the cleansing of hands – Jas. 4:7-10

• The Hebrew writer reminds of the power of Christ’s blood to cleanse your conscience – Heb. 9:13-14

• This cleansing is a complete cleansing – cf. Eph. 5:25-27

FAITH is Required!36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

2 Peter 1:5-115 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.