Philemon; Psalm 119:57-64

Philemon
Paul is the author of this very short, personal letter to Philemon, a Christian man whose church actually met in his home. As we have noted before, slavery was a widespread practice in the Roman Empire at this time. It seems that Philemon was a slave owner whose slave Onesimus had run away. In the providence of God, Onesimus had landed in the same Roman prison where Paul was held, and Paul led him to the Lord! Paul wrote this letter to his friend Philemon asking him to accept Onesimus back and to treat him like a brother--a brother in the Lord. v. 16

You will notice how graciously Paul addresses Philemon, focusing on his good qualities and the faith that they shared. Sometimes it's just too easy to focus on the negative or on potential differences.  vv. 4-7

Paul also speaks lovingly of this new believer, Onesimus. He tells Philemon that perhaps God allowed him to lose Onesimus for a while so that they could be reconciled for all eternity! v. 15 Paul even offers to pay for any financial loss that Philemon may have suffered because of Onesimus. vv. 18-19

We have been studying this book at church on Sunday nights, and we have already seen many truths and applications from it. Here are a few of them.

• There is no social standing in God's sight. The slave-owner and the slave, both believers, were brothers in the Lord.
• We can learn about conflict resolution by noticing how kind and gentlemanly Paul was in his appeal to Philemon.
• Paul intercedes for Onesimus who has done wrong. In the same way, Jesus intercedes for us before the Father.
• Philemon and Onesimus, once at odds with one another, are now reconciled. This is a picture of the sinner who through the blood of Christ is reconciled to God.
• Onesimus is a picture of the lost sinner who has nothing to offer God, but he accepts salvation through faith as a free gift. This is grace!
• Paul offers to pay Onesimus' debts. Jesus paid our sin debt, and it is paid in full!
• Like Onesimus, we must willingly and joyfully serve God, our Master.

Psalm 119:57-64
Reminder:  this whole psalm is about the Word of God. In this particular portion, the psalmist reminds us that if we are true to God's Word, others who also love God's Word will be true and faithful friends. v. 63  By contrast, "evil people try to drag me into sin,..." v. 61

Instead of passively letting life happen to us, we should ponder the direction of our lives and try to follow God's Word. v. 59

This is a psalm of encouragement, thanksgiving, and praise.


O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth; teach me your decrees." v. 64