4 I remember you in my prayers. And I always thank my God for
you. 5 I hear about the love you have for all God’s holy people
and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that the
faith you share will make you understand every blessing that we have in Christ.
7 My brother, you have shown love to God’s people. You have
made them feel happy. This has given me great joy and comfort.
8 There is something that you should do. And because of your
love in Christ, I feel free to order you to do it. 9 But
because I love you, I am asking you instead. I, Paul, am an old man now, and a
prisoner for Christ Jesus. 10 I am asking you a favor for my
son Onesimus. He became my son while I was in prison. 11 In the
past he was useless to you. But now he has become useful for both you and me.
12 I am sending him back to you, and with him I am sending my
own heart. 13 I wanted to keep him with me to help me while I
am in prison for the Good News. By helping me he would be serving you. 14 But
I did not want to do anything without asking you first. Then any favor you do
for me will be because you want to do it, not because I forced you to do it.
15 Onesimus was separated from you for a short time. Maybe that
happened so that you could have him back forever— 16 not to be
a slave, but better than a slave, to be a loved brother. I love him very much.
But you will love him even more. You will love him as a man and as a brother in
the Lord.
17 If you think of me as your friend, then accept Onesimus
back. Welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If Onesimus has
done anything wrong to you, charge that to me. If he owes you anything, charge
that to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I
will pay back anything Onesimus owes. And I will say nothing about what you owe
me for your own life. 20 So, my brother, I ask that you do this
for me in the Lord. Comfort my heart in Christ. (Philemon 1:4-20, ICB)
1. Our faith in Jesus is conveyed by our love for
everyone.
34 “I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love
each other as I have loved you. 35 All people will know that
you are my followers if you love each other.” (John 13:34-35, ICB)
See
Philemon 1:4-7 above
2.
Our faith in Jesus compels
us to sacrifice for others.
14 The love of Christ controls us. Because we know that One
died for all so all have died. 15 Christ died for all so that
those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and
was raised from death so that they would live for him. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, ICB)
See
Philemon 1:8-12, 17 above
3.
Our faith in Jesus constrains
us to forgive others.
Be
kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other just as God forgave you in
Christ. (Ephesians 4:32, ICB)
See
Philemon 1:17-20 above
“The
ultimate test of man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something
today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.” (Gaylord
Nelson)[i]
[i] Inspired by the sermon “Now a
New Partnership: Runaway Grace, “(installment three,
final) Sunday August 11, 2019, Pastor Dave Jansen, CenterPoint Gahanna Church
Gahanna, OH.
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