“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers …. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.”
Philemon 4, 7
Wouldn’t you love to have met Philemon? He was gifted in ministering to Christians in a way that refreshed their hearts. His love and care must have been very personal. He was just the sort of person we all need in our lives.
Paul personally appealed to Philemon to accept a young man named Onesimus as a brother in Christ. It was a little tricky because Onesimus had been a slave of Philemon and apparently had stolen from him. But Paul is so sure Onesimus is now a changed man that he urges Philemon to charge to Paul anything Onesimus might still owe. It wouldn’t be hard to assume that Philemon did welcome his former slave so that the gospel of grace and forgiveness would be proclaimed.
Many years later Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, drafted a letter to the church in Ephesus mentioning a bishop named Onesimus. It’s quite possible that in the Lord’s providence, the runaway slave had become this bishop. God works powerfully in lives. How thankful we are for His grace which restores our brokenness to new life in Him.
Paul personally appealed to Philemon to accept a young man named Onesimus as a brother in Christ. It was a little tricky because Onesimus had been a slave of Philemon and apparently had stolen from him. But Paul is so sure Onesimus is now a changed man that he urges Philemon to charge to Paul anything Onesimus might still owe. It wouldn’t be hard to assume that Philemon did welcome his former slave so that the gospel of grace and forgiveness would be proclaimed.
Many years later Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, drafted a letter to the church in Ephesus mentioning a bishop named Onesimus. It’s quite possible that in the Lord’s providence, the runaway slave had become this bishop. God works powerfully in lives. How thankful we are for His grace which restores our brokenness to new life in Him.
Scripture Focus
Philemon 1-25
Insight
Seek reconciliation in your relationships. “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).
Bible In A Year
- Ezekiel 27-28
- Psalm 144
- 1 Thessalonians 5
