Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: Philemon 1:8-11
Everyone of us has a past, every saint before they came to Christ was a sinner. This is something we need to remember as the body of Christ. While there may be brothers and sisters who have a more colorful past than you, they have been washed and redeemed by the blood of Christ also, they have become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:7) The Apostle Paul is a great example of this himself, as he went from persecuting the Church to leading the Church.
And just as when Paul became saved, the Church at first was hesitant to accept him. (Galatians 1:23) This is the same story here for Onesimus, we need to remember this letter is being written to Philemon. As we learned from earlier in the letter , Philemon was a very wealthy man who actually hosted the Church in his house. As with many wealthy people , Philemon also employed servants, or owned slaves. Onesimus who was a slave/servant for Philemon stole from him and then fled to Rome, apparently Onesimus had an encounter with the Apostle Paul while in Rome. During his time in Rome, Onesimus became Born Again, saved in Christ.
The Apostle Paul here in this letter briefly describes the encounter “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains” (v10) Perhaps Onesimus became arrested while he fled in Rome and met Paul there in prison. As many of you probably have encountered or experienced, many people come to Christ while they are in prison, when they reach the lowest point of their life and have alot of time to think about their life. Of course it doesn’t hurt when you are in jail with one of the greatest preachers in world history.
Now the Apostle Paul is appealing to Philemon and the Church, to reinstate Onesimus and accept him as a brother in Christ. Notice how Paul begins this “for loves sake I rather appeal to you” (v9) As Paul has instructed us “Forgive others because God has already forgiven us” (Ephesians 4:32) We as brothers and sisters in Christ need to remember to forgive each other also, and remember our sins have forgiven so we should forgive others their sins.
The Apostle Paul then makes an interesting statement to the Church “who (Onesimus) once was unprofitable for you (Church) , is now profitable for you (Church) and me” (v11) The Apostle Paul is not only telling the Church that Onesimus has become Born Again in Christ, but you guys need him! How many people are needed by your local Church that the Church has rejected? Remember to forgive one another because Christ has forgive us, Amen
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