Paul's Reason for this Letter (Philemon 10:11)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 11-18-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  The reason for the letter

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Philemon 10-11

           

Message of the verse:  “10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, 11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.”  (NAS95)  “My plea is that you show kindness to Onesimus.  I think of him as my own son because he became a believer as a result of my ministry here in prison.  Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.  (NLT)

            I believe that the point for this letter is that Paul wants Philemon to treat Onesimus kindly even though he has run away from him, and could actually be put to death if Philemon would have a mind to do that.  Paul tells Philemon that Onesimus is his child, born to him while in prison.  Paul led Onesimus to the Lord while he was in prison for the cause of Christ.  In verse eleven Paul is using a play on words, for the word Onesimus means useful.  What Paul is really saying that useful use to be useless to you but not he has become useful to both of us.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Sometimes it is very difficult for me to do the right thing even thought I know that it is what I am supposed to do.  Paul makes a convincing argument for doing what is right in these two verses and throughout this letter.  Doing the right thing is always in season even though sometimes it is hard to do.

 

The Word of God was very instructive to me today.

 

My Steps of Faith For Today:  I would pray that the Lord would fill me with His love for others and that He would work in my heart to make it a servant’s heart.  I pray that I would fear no one but the Lord.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Romans 11:33-36

 

Oh, the debt of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

 

“For who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has become His counselor?”

 

“Or who has given first to Him

And it shall be repaid to him?”

 

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever.  Amen.