Tag: Philemon
Actively share your faith!
Scripture reading for October 12th: Philemon
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Philemon 3-7 “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.”
Paul wrote this short letter to a friend, Philemon, who had a run-away slave that was now a believer and a helper of Paul as he was imprisoned. Paul wrote to appeal to Philemon to do what was right by this new convert whom Paul considered a “son”. Paul commended Philemon and his friends for their faith and love for all the saints. It gave Paul joy to know that his friend was refreshing the hearts of fellow-believers. Paul especially encouraged Philemon and prayed that he would be active in sharing his faith. This would bring a fuller understanding to his own life of God’s great gift and His heart of love for all men.
Observations for over-comers: Faith and love are key ingredients in the lives of over-comers. Faith and love energize evangelism and evangelism grows our faith and love! “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)
Once a slave, now a dear brother!
Scripture reading for October 13th: Philemon
Paul’s short letter to his dear friend, Philemon, who lived in Colosse stands as an example of how the early church fathers dealt with the sensitive issue of slavery under a government where it was legal and with church members who actually owned slaves. Philemon owned Onesimus, a slave who had run away and providentially found Paul in Rome in jail. The letter reflects Paul’s heart for his friend, Philemon, and for Onesimus, his new ‘son’ through receiving Christ as Lord.
“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow solder and to the church that meets in your home: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (vs. 1-2) Paul was in jail, but considered himself a ‘prisoner of Jesus Christ.” He wrote with affection and blessing to Philemon and the church family in Colosse. He had no condemnation or words of judgment, but thanksgiving and commendation for the love and work of Philemon and his church family.
“Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. . . . 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. . . .Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good–no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. . . .So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.” (Philemon 8-9,10-11,15-17) Paul wanted Philemon to joyfully and willingly receive Onesimus back as a brother in the Lord. He might still do the work of a slave, but he was free in Christ! May this example stir our hearts with Christ’s love!
Faith and forgiveness!
Scripture reading for December 10th: Philemon
This short personal letter from Paul to Philemon concerns a run-away slave who got saved under Paul’s ministry in Rome. This slave could easily have been sentenced to death if he had been caught, but God was working something else out in his life. He heard the Gospel message from Paul and gave his life to Jesus Christ. Paul was writing his master, Philemon, to appeal to him to take him back and receive him as a brother in the Lord. This simple letter reveals the heart of forgiveness we must have toward others as they repent and come into the kingdom.
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” (Philemon 6-7)
Paul’s prayer for Philemon is an encouragement for us to share our faith. As we learn to give away what we have received from the Lord, we get back a more complete understanding of all that is ours in Christ. Giving by sharing causes joy in pastoral leadership!
Paul gently appeals to Philemon to restore his converted slave. (Philemon 8-10) Paul stated that Onesimus was formerly useless to him. Before salvation, he was in bondage to sin and could not be loyal and serve him properly. Now, as a brother in the Lord, Onesimus was useful to the kingdom and to Philemon! This is an added blessing of sharing your faith! Others come into their full purpose and become brothers and sisters in the family of God!
Love isn’t love unless it is freely given. Forgiveness isn’t real if it is not also freely given. We can’t order forgiveness. We can’t command that another love us or love God. When we appeal to another person to do what is right, then they can more easily choose to freely give. Paul’s letter is a great example of a godly appeal to someone in authority to do what is right. May the Lord grant us grace today to love and forgive freely according to the example of Jesus Christ!
Sharing our faith and forgiveness!
Scripture reading for December 10th: Philemon
This short personal letter from Paul to Philemon concerns a run-away slave who got saved under Paul’s ministry in Rome. This slave could easily have been sentenced to death if he had been caught, but God was working something else out in his life. He heard the Gospel message from Paul and gave his life to Jesus Christ. Paul was writing his master, Philemon, to appeal to him to take him back and receive him as a brother in the Lord. Philemon was a believer in a church that Paul had planted and Paul had evidently been his spiritual father. This simple letter reveals the heart of forgiveness we must have toward others as they repent and come into the kingdom.
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” (Philemon 6-7) Paul’s prayer for Philemon is an encouragement for us to share our faith. As we learn to give away what we have received from the Lord, we get back a more complete understanding of all that is ours in Christ. Giving by sharing brings blessings of deeper understanding and causes joy in pastoral leadership!
Paul gently appeals to Philemon to take Onesimus, his converted slave, back and restore him. (Philemon 8-10) Paul states that Onesimus was formerly useless to him. Before salvation, he was in bondage to self and sin and could not be loyal and serve him properly. Now, as a brother in the Lord, Onesimus was useful to the kingdom and to Philemon! This is an added blessing of sharing your faith! Others come into their full purpose and become brothers and sisters in the family of God!
Love isn’t love unless it is freely given. Forgiveness isn’t real if it is not also freely given. We can’t command that another love us or love God. When we appeal to another person to do what is right, then they can more easily choose to freely give. Paul’s letter is a great example of a godly appeal to someone in authority to do what is right. May the Lord grant us grace today to love and forgive freely according to the example of Jesus Christ!
Restoring a brother!
Scripture reading for October 29th: Philemon 1:1-25
Paul won a run-away slave, Onesimus, to faith in the Lord Jesus. He also knew this slave’s master, Philemon, who was a brother in the Lord and possibly been also won to the Lord under Paul’s ministry. (Philemon 1:19) Paul was in prison during this time. It is possible that they were in jail together and God used Paul to present the Gospel and then to disciple him. Now this slave was a brother in the Lord and serving Paul. Paul instructed him to return to Philemon and ask for mercy for running away. This short letter to Philemon was penned by Paul to accompany this new brother Onesimus, as he returned in repentance!
” I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” (Philemon 1:4-7) Paul affectionately addressed Philemon as a “dear friend and fellow worker.” He cared about Philemon and prayed for him with a thankful heart. Paul’s pastoral heart shines through in this prayer for his ministry of sharing his faith. Paul prayed that he might be active in sharing his faith in order to have a full understanding of all good things we have in Christ! Perhaps failure to share faith is why many today lack a true understanding of their inheritance!
Paul could have simply commanded Philemon to take Onesimus back and forgive him for running away, but he appealed to him on the basis of love. (Philemon 1:8-10) God had shown mercy to Onesimus while he was away by saving him. Now Onesimus was a brother in the faith and useful to Paul and to Philemon in a different way. God had also shown this mercy to Philemon and to Paul. Since God’s love was shown to us while we were sinners, we must also show this love by forgiveness and restoration.
This story reminds us of God’s love and restoration of us. We were run-away slaves as well. When we heard the Gospel, we returned to our Master. He forgave us and restored us to ‘sonship’, not slavery, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation! (2nd Corinthians 5:21) His great love is amazing!
Onesimus, Son and Dear Brother!
Scripture reading for December 11th: Philemon
Forgiving offenses is not an easy task for anyone, especially for those who are in authority. Pride runs deep and the power to get even or make the offender pay brings great temptation, even for Christians. Our short letter today is all about God’s grace and our need to apply it to those who don’t deserve it!
Onesimus was a slave belonging to Philemon. This slave had run away and gone to Rome. There in Rome, he encountered the apostle Paul, who preached the gospel to him, and he was gloriously saved. He served Paul and grew in the faith. But Paul knew that real faith in Christ leads to a godly life and to restitution for wrongs done. As a wise pastor, Paul instructed Onesimus to return to Philemon and to appeal for mercy and forgiveness. Paul wrote this short letter to Philemon appealing to him as a Christian brother for mercy for Onesimus.
“Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul–an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus–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.” (Philemon 8-11) It is always love and mercy that leads to true repentance. Paul could use his authority, but then Philemon would just do it out of obligation and not from a heart of love. Paul appealed for his “son”, now a believer in Christ. This slave who is now a “son of God” had been adopted into God’s family as was Philemon. That put their relationship on a different level because both had received grace from Christ.
The beauty of this short story, is that it is the story of our lives as well. We were slaves of sin and because of God’s mercy we have been forgiven much. If we have been forgiven much, we must forgive others their sins. We also need to make restitution where we can with those we have wronged in a spirit of meekness, appealing to the love of Christ! We go from slaves of sin to dear brothers and sisters of Christ and of other believers!
Sharing Your Faith and Forgiveness
Scripture reading for December 10th: Philemon
This short personal letter from Paul to Philemon concerns a run-away slave who got saved under Paul’s ministry in Rome. This slave could easily have been sentenced to death if he had been caught, but God was working something else out in his life. He heard the Gospel message from Paul and gave his life to Jesus Christ. Paul was writing his master, Philemon, to appeal to him to take him back and receive him as a brother in the Lord. Philemon was a believer in a church that Paul had planted and Paul had evidently been his spiritual father as well. This simple letter reveals the heart of forgiveness we must have toward others as they repent and come into the kingdom.
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” (Philemon 6-7)
Paul’s prayer for Philemon is an encouragement for us to share our faith. As we learn to give away what we have received from the Lord, we get back a more complete understanding of all that is ours in Christ. Giving by sharing brings blessings of deeper understanding and causes joy in pastoral leadership!
Paul next, gently appeals to Philemon to take Onesimus, this converted slave, back and restore him. (Philemon 8-10) Paul states that Onesimus was formerly useless to him. Before salvation, he was in bondage to self and sin and could not be loyal and serve him properly. Now, as a brother in the Lord, Onesimus was useful to the kingdom and to Philemon! This is an added blessing of sharing your faith! Others come into their full purpose and become brothers and sisters in the family of God!
Love isn’t love unless it is freely given. Forgiveness isn’t real if it is not also freely given. We can’t order forgiveness. We can’t command that another love us or love God. When we appeal to another person to do what is right, then they can more easily choose to freely give. Paul’s letter is a great example of a godly appeal to someone in authority to do what is right. May the Lord grant us grace today to love and forgive freely according to the example of Jesus Christ!