{Reading the book of Philemon~Week 10}

 

From Slave of Sin to Freedom in Christ Jesus

Philemon is one book that I have never heard anyone preach, teach, or even mention!

I have to admit I have read this book many times but this time, God has opened my eyes to a greater understanding of what this small one chapter book holds!  This little book is a picture of God’s grace, mercy , and forgiveness which  He bestows on the captives and sets them free.

It is also a reminder to us to show mercy, grace, and forgiveness. For we once were in need of God’s grace and mercy!

why the Letter was written

Paul wrote this letter to Philemon concerning his runaway slave Onesimus. According to this letter, Onesimus ran away from Philemon to Rome where he encountered the apostle Paul. While in Rome Onesimus became a Christian a beloved brother. Philemon 1:10:

I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment.

But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account;

We learn in verse 18 that Onesimus had run away from Philemon, he had wronged him and may have taken something from him. According to Roman Law Philemon had the right to put him to death. Paul is appealing to Philemon to show mercy and forgiveness to Onesimus.

{The Requirements of the Law Are Fulfilled in Christ!}

Do you not know? Have you not heard? God did it! God sent His One and only Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as an offering for sin. Why did He do this? We read in Romans chapters 1-3 that men do not fear Him, they do not honor Him, and they exchanged His incorruptible glory for an image that is corruptible. {The man that Romans speaks of is me, and all humanity.} This man made image  will fade away but the God who always was, will always be! The God of heaven and earth, who man rejected, sent His Son to die for our sins and to accomplish in us what the Law could not do.

{Set Free to Walk in Newness of Life}

In Romans 7 Paul is going to continue to remind the Beloved of their new position in Christ. He is going to use the analogy of marriage to guide us to an understanding of what God in Christ has accomplished for us. In Romans 6:3 Paul asked this question, “Do You Not Know?” Again in Romans 7:1 he asks, “Do you not know?” Galatians 5:1 teaches;

It is for freedom that Christ set you free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

{Let’s Proclaim The Gospel to The World}

Paul opens the book of Romans proclaiming his privilege and his duty to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. After greeting the beloved of Rome, he immediately proclaims that he is not ashamed of the gospel, {Romans 1:16}

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also the Greek.

Today we are going to wrap up this weeks study in Lesson 19{Romans Chapter 6} like Paul unashamed to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Romans 6:16 Paul makes a distinction between a believer and an unbeliever. Also in Romans 8:5-8 he again describes an unbeliever and moves on into verse 9-11 describing the believer. Why does Paul write this way?

{Is Your Heart Recieving Encouragement In The Grip of Grace?}

I am at Satisfaction Through Christ today sharing about the  encouragement God gives in the midst of our discipline!

I had just gotten off of the phone with my niece Lizzy! She and her new husband are going to be traveling from Mississippi to watch my daughter Hannah in her first play! We were working out the details of the trip. Because Lizzy is one if not the biggest encourager I have when it comes to my blog I shared with her the humbling opportunity that God has given to me to be a contributing author to “Satisfaction In Christ Alone!” She has helped me beyond what I could ever hope for. She knows what she is doing in this techy world. I, on the other hand, fly by the seat of my pants hoping I am getting it right! As is usual of Lizzy she was so uplifting, encouraging and excited for this opportunity that had come my way! Don’t you love an encourager?