Philemon

 Introduction

 

Philemon is about reconciliation and relationships between Christians. Onesimus (which means “useful”) was a slave of a believer named Philemon in Colossae. Apparently Onesimus had stolen from Philemon and fled. At some time while Paul was under arrest, Onesimus met him and became a Christian. 

Paul apparently wrote this letter at the same time as Colossians and gave it to Onesimus to carry back to Philemon (see Col. 4:9). Paul appealed to Philemon to accept Onesimus back into his household, but as a brother in the Lord rather than a slave. In Paul’s estimation, Onesimus was far more “useful” (v. 11) now that he was a Christian. Paul even promised to pay whatever debt Onesimus might owe Philemon.

Thought

As a mother, my job is to take care of the possible and trust God with the impossible. - Ruth Bell Graham

God's Word

“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it, and then, finally, the end will come.” - Matthew 24:14

Ecclesiastes 9:18

“Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.”

Just a little leaven and the whole lump is changed. A sinful person can have the same effect on a whole group of people committed to God. So let's be wise and reverence God by obeying him and his Word. Let's be insightful in the way we deal with sin and temptation in our lives. 

Also, let's be sure to remember that we are at war with the evil one. Then let's praise God, because our Savior has already defeated our enemy and the Holy Spirit empowers us to stand up to Satan's attacks and resist his temptation.

Quotes 

.. Every Christian family ought to be, as it were, a little church, consecrated to Christ, and wholly influenced and governed by His rules. - Jonathan Edwards