Good Morning “Forgiven and Changed - Forgivers.”. Today we look at the short letter to Philemon. Just one chapter.
Paul writes to Philemon to encourage him to forgive and accept Onesimus as a Brother in Christ and fellow minister of the Gospel. Why a letter? Well, Philemon was a wealthy Clossian, and Onesimus was once his slave. Onesimus ran away. Based on Paul’s offer to pay back anything he had taken, he likely robbed Philemon.
“If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.” Philemon 1:18 NIV
Onesimus gives his life to Jesus and is miraculously changed. He ends up serving in Paul’s ministry and actually becomes one of the people chosen who deliver Paul’s letters to the Colossians and Ephesians. Once a thief possibly, he is now a servant for Jesus - by choice.
“that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.” Philemon 1:10-13
Paul considers Onesimus his son, likely because it was Paul’s ministry that resulted in his conversion. He’s really grabbed ahold of Paul’s heart. Paul would like to continue to serve with him but knows it’s right for Onesimus to return to Philemon and face him. I believe there are some things we can grab on to and apply from this letter:
- No one is beyond the reach of Jesus. Don’t count yourself or anyone else out. God is in the business of transforming lives! He is all about using the broken!
- Transformation is just the beginning, it comes with expectation. Expectation that we get to work. Onesimus got to work!
- Paul appeals to Philemon with expectation he will forgive and accept Onesimus back. We forgive because He forgives us. We can assume that Philemon did forgive because this letter was preserved.
There’s always something we can grab on to and apply. See what else you can apply from this short letter.
Love you all! Dig in!
Paul writes to Philemon to encourage him to forgive and accept Onesimus as a Brother in Christ and fellow minister of the Gospel. Why a letter? Well, Philemon was a wealthy Clossian, and Onesimus was once his slave. Onesimus ran away. Based on Paul’s offer to pay back anything he had taken, he likely robbed Philemon.
“If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.” Philemon 1:18 NIV
Onesimus gives his life to Jesus and is miraculously changed. He ends up serving in Paul’s ministry and actually becomes one of the people chosen who deliver Paul’s letters to the Colossians and Ephesians. Once a thief possibly, he is now a servant for Jesus - by choice.
“that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.” Philemon 1:10-13
Paul considers Onesimus his son, likely because it was Paul’s ministry that resulted in his conversion. He’s really grabbed ahold of Paul’s heart. Paul would like to continue to serve with him but knows it’s right for Onesimus to return to Philemon and face him. I believe there are some things we can grab on to and apply from this letter:
- No one is beyond the reach of Jesus. Don’t count yourself or anyone else out. God is in the business of transforming lives! He is all about using the broken!
- Transformation is just the beginning, it comes with expectation. Expectation that we get to work. Onesimus got to work!
- Paul appeals to Philemon with expectation he will forgive and accept Onesimus back. We forgive because He forgives us. We can assume that Philemon did forgive because this letter was preserved.
There’s always something we can grab on to and apply. See what else you can apply from this short letter.
Love you all! Dig in!
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