The book of Philemon tells the powerful story of forgiveness through Paul, a prisoner who writes to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave who had wronged his master. Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus back, reconcile with him as a brother rather than a slave, and forgive his debt. We should forgive others because of what's at stake in our witness, because it's the right thing to do, because we trust God is working through difficult circumstances, and most importantly, because we've been forgiven an enormous debt by God through Christ. True forgiveness means releasing someone from responsibility for our hurt, refusing to retaliate, and not bringing up past offenses.