Redemption and Restoration
Today ended up being a full day of some office work. I did get out to a Chiropractor appointment. He felt that I had shown some remarkable improvement even since last week, so perhaps my training at the fitness center is making a difference.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “In the past he was useless to you, but now he has become useful for both you and me.” Philemon 11 NCV
Philemon is Paul’s shortest and most personal letter. At its heart is a story of redemption and reconciliation. Onesimus was a slave of Philemon’s who had run away from his master. In the process and over the course of time he and came in contact with Paul, while Paul was in prison, and became a Christian. (Philemon 10)
Paul believed both he and Onesimus and Philemon, needed to do the right thing. Paul even mentions that it would have been easy to have Onesimus stay with him and help him while he was in prison. But we see that true redemption also includes reconciliation. In Christ the banished, the alienated and runaways are brought home.
Paul helps in the matter by writing a letter to his friend to pave the way for Onesimus to return to his master. Paul appeals to his friendship with Philemon and his confidence in Philemon’s faith and love for God’s people. Now, his runaway slave is “one of God’s people.”
Paul believed he had the apostolic authority to command Philemon to accept Onesimus but he said, “yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you” (Phil. 8 NKJV) It was not only the “right” thing to do, it was that which was motivated by “love” more than “law.”
Philemon’s relationship with Onesimus was to be different. His status in life was changed because his heart was changed, and so Paul appeals and anticipates a change in Philemon’s heart. “…you will love him even more, both as a person and as a believer in the Lord.” (Phil. 16 NCV)
When we look at the three important people in this story: Paul, Onesimus and Philemon. All of them needed to do the right thing, in the right way for the right reasons. And when that took place, God was honored and a miracle of grace, mercy, forgiveness and restoration was made complete.
By the way, “Onesimus” means “profitable or useful.” We don’t know if that was a given name or one given to Onesimus by Philemon or someone else. But what we do see is that his true “usefulness” was fulfilled not in being a slave, but in being a follower of Christ and a “brother in Christ” to Paul and Philemon.
In the same way, our true value is seen when we fulfill God’s plan and purpose for our life and when we too, do the right thing, in the right way for the right reasons.