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Philemon 8-11
In this letter from the Apostle Paul to his brother in Christ, Philemon, is a unique, nevertheless important letter (book of the Bible) as the Apostle Paul is writing to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. Onesimus is believed to be a slave of Philemon who ran away and then became friends with the Apostle Paul while Paul was in prison. This friendship developed to the work of Paul leading Onesimus to Christ Jesus and ultimately his salvation. As a runaway slave, the punishment for Onesimus would have been very harsh, but in his salvation and of being helpful to Paul during his time of need, Paul is writing this letter to Philemon as Onesimus is to return to him in hopes of the power of Christ Jesus and the newly saved Onesimus to be forgiven and given a new life – not just as a human being, but in hopes of being useful as a Christian. Some scholars believe that Onesimus soon became the bishop of Ephesus – a position that, given no documented outcome from Philemon, is believed that forgiveness was granted – in Christ.
This is an example of Christ being able to change someone’s life one hundred and eighty degrees and prove that we all have a purpose – In Christ!
The chains and slavery of sin attacks us all, and Onesimus is a great example of the power of Christ Jesus being able to set us free from it. Jesus never simply just “sets us free” from sin and its chains, but as is the case with Onesimus, God has a purpose for us all – in Christ. That purpose may not be to lead the church at Ephesus as its bishop, but the purpose God has for you is just as important. The reflection of Christ Jesus in all our lives helps lead others to Him and the salvation that only He can provide for everyone, for eternity. Jesus declared in John 8:31-32 (NKJV), “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Some of you may say, “Well, now I need to find out what is the truth that Jesus is speaking of.” It’s simple; Jesus answers that question for us in John 14:6 as He states, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Knowing that Jesus is the truth, not simply a truth or some piece of truth but the truth, helps us better understand the words of Jesus in John 8:31-32 and His following remarks in John 8:36, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
Dear LORD,
The slavery of sin has attacked us all and its chains are unable to be broken through our own strength. But we have a Savior in Christ Jesus who has broken the chains of sin for us all through His sinless death on the cross and His resurrection declaring victory for all in Christ Jesus. Please help us all to experience a new life in Christ Jesus as the Apostle Paul leads us in Romans 10:9-10, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” In Jesus name I pray, amen.