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I appeal to you...for my son, Onesimus. 
I became his father while I was in chains.
Philemon 1:9-10 CSB
Something shifted with Paul and Onesimus. 
He's not "like my son", he says he IS my son.
And just so we don't miss it he repeats it in a different way: "I became his father".
Onesimus the slave, is now a son.
The son of Paul.
And Paul is now fighting for him.
Onesimus the slave, the unseen, unknown, used, owned, is now seen.
Known
Chosen
Adopted
Loved 
There's that saying that "blood is thicker than water", but Paul is saying that love is thicker than blood.
It's love that moves someone from slavery to freedom.
And so it is with us. No longer slaves but we have been seen.
Known
Chosen
Adopted
Loved
We have become children of God.
Children of the God who made a way, became the way.
Children of the God who is Light, and wants us to live in the Light.
Children of the God who is Love, and wants us to love like He does.
Children of the God who sets captives free, and wants us to live in that freedom.
#sunday
#worship
#thisisourGod
#dearlyloved
#childrenofGod

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