Skip to main content
I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. But I didn't want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever.
Philemon 1:13-15 NLT
What Paul is asking of Philemon is going to challenge the way he has been brought up, challenge his standing in the community, the way others see him, and he's taking a massive risk, literally with Onesimus' life.
Paul wants Philemon to see Onesimus as he sees him, not the way Philemon may have seen him in the past, not the way his culture saw him. 
And as a result of that change of heart, Paul wants Philemon to use his power with grace. 
Philomen has the power & the legal right to punish Onesimus.
And suddenly this picture emerges of our Just and Holy God who has every right to punish, but instead exercises Grace, and welcomes us in as returning runaways. 
Just as Paul is making a way here for Onesimus, so God saw our plight and made a way, and that way is Jesus. 
Why is Paul going to all this effort for Onesimus?
Because he loves him.
Jesus became the way for us because he loves us, He thinks we're worth it!
#philemon
#aroha
#lovewins


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Joseph replied..."Dont you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now - life for many people..." Genesis 50:19-20 MSG The view from the drone. The different perspective. "God has been at work in my life despite, in fact within the hatred that you had towards me. Even though I couldn't always see it, I kept trusting Him, even when He was silent, when all hope seemed lost... God was at work... Can you see that now?" #faith #faithinthedark
Post a Comment
Read more
Genesis 15.8-18.ESV But he said O Lord God , how am I to know that I shall possess it? ...When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram... March 15 was the last day we looked at Abram's story...he was questioning God and this is God's response...sacrifices and smoke and fire and a covenant...a promise... Isn't that what we crave for sometimes? God, if only you'd just show me smoke & fire, a burning bush a sign, miracle, healing...then all my questions would disappear...all my doubts would be gone... 2moro we'll see Abram's response but I think God values our faith in spite of our questions and doubts. That we choose Him anyway #faith
Post a Comment
Read more
Psalm 42.1-11.nlt As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God... I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? O God my rock l cry, Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies? Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, Where is this God of yours? Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Savior and my God! That song "as the deer pants for the water..." seems almost nice, but it's not...it's part of a cry of anguish, of hurt, of despair...of God not giving an answer...yet...through all that...again and again he says I'll put my hope in God! #choose #hope #hopeunshaken
Post a Comment
Read more