PHILEMON (Letter 57, Larry Crabb’s 66 Love Letters)

REAL LIFE CHANGES EVERY RELATIONSHIP

Wronged people tell God’s story to those who wrong them only when they are overwhelmed by the story God tells to those who wrong God and count themselves among the offenders.

Philemon not only forgave Onesimus but also received him as a brother in the church that Philemon led in Colossae. And he did so as a free response to another brother, Paul, who believed in him and who reminded Philemon that through Paul’s ministry God had forgiven him for sins against God greater than the sins of Onesimus against him [v. 19].

Our flesh is strong. His Spirit is stronger. To experience His strength, we must drop all the trappings of religion, all dependence on the external good things we do that make us feel spiritual enough. And we must drop all the dynamics of religion, all the internal attitudes that make us think we can become all we were meant to be without radical ongoing dependence on His Son. His servant Eugene Peterson was quite correct when he wrote, “”Religion is the most dangerous energy source known to humankind.” Exchange religion for His Son. He’s the better way.

PHILEMON: From Ray Stedman

Click here for entire Bible Summary from Ray Stedman

PHILEMON: A Brother Restored

You have the doctrine of acceptance and the doctrine of substitution wonderfully portrayed here in this little letter. God receives us in the person of another; we were like Onesimus. In fact, Martin Luther said, “All of us were God’s Onesimus.” We are slaves. We merit nothing. We have done things that are wrong. We stand before a God who is righteous and holy, and yet the Lord Jesus says, “If he has done anything wrong, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I will pay it.” That is what Paul says here.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. {Phmn 1:25 RSV}

PHILEMON – David Jeremiah (Understanding the 66 Books of the Bible)

Key thought: Being members of God’s family obligates us to attitudes of forgiveness, reconcilation, and mutual respect, one for another.

Key Verse: I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me Philemom 1:10-11

Key Action: Receive, respect, and refresh your brothers and sisters in Christ.