ONCE SLAVES, NOW PART OF GOD’S FAMILY!

ONCE SLAVES, NOW PART OF GOD’S FAMILY!

 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. —Philemon 1:12

 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. —Philemon 1:18

             These are amazing statements made by Paul about Onesimus to Philemon.  Paul is sending this redeemed slave back to his owner that they can be reconciled.  It is an astounding statement that Paul says of Onesimus— I am sending you… “my very heart.”  Wow!  Now just imagine a literal statement from our perspective today.  Instead of sending Onesimus think of Paul’s heart being sent— that would be Paul’s emotions and desires, his inner person himself.  He is telling Philemon to accept Onesimus just as Philemon would accept Paul.

        What is so amazing about this?  Our Father accepts us just as He accepts His Son.  The implication as the redeemed is that we would have the same “heart” as Jesus does.  Onesimus was family now and not just a slave, but more than a slave.  He is now a beloved brother.  In the same way Jesus calls we who have believed family— “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.  Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:33-35).  This is an eternal family that is birthed in the temporal and will be in glory forever!  Rejoice!

Something else that is interesting, among other things in this short letter, is that Paul states “If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.”  Paul is willing to pay any debt that Onesimus may have.  In the same way Jesus pays our sin debt at the cross so we could be family.  Oh, let us rejoice.  We are no longer slaves, we are now children of God through faith in Jesus (Galatians 3:26), members of God’s family (Ephesians 2:19).  So let us rejoice over our glorious position! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYZw0dfLmLk&t=111s

Dear Father thank You for making me Your child by putting my faith in Jesus.  I am so glad to be a part of the family of God.  Out of gratitude may I be and live as You desire.  Oh may it be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Beloved Son Jesus.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QANH8MWuyaE