Hello
Friends!
Welcome
to an all-new Encouraging Concepts
Bible study series focused on the powerful
little “epistle” of Philemon written by the great “Apostle Paul” as a personal
plea to his “beloved” brother – “Faithful
Forgiveness!”
The Epistle to Philemon: Faithful Forgiveness! (Verses 14-18)
14 But without thy mind would I do
nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 For perhaps
he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him forever; 16 Not now as a servant,
but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto
thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as
myself. 18 If he
hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account – Philemon 14-18
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: It would be wonderful
if we knew MORE about this man “Onesimus”
and his name meaning “profitable”
as a nickname of sorts. And this rank RUNAWAY Phrygian criminal “slave”
of whom once became so “unprofitable”
in his life, had LATER become fully FAITHFUL and
powerfully PROFITABLE unto the “aged” ailing “Apostle
Paul” himself. In fact, “Onesimus”
had indeed become so “profitable”
unto a meaningful “ministry” mandate, “Paul” would rather have had him STAY along
his side during their imprisonment together in the
city of Rome. However, by sweetly “sending”
this righteously REGENERATED mighty man BACK to brother “Philemon”
proper, “Paul” was somberly – Sending his HEART!
SERVICE of Forgiveness!
This
wonderful “work” of forever FORGIVENESS offered
from deep within the “heart”
boldly begins with a righteous RECEPTION to
a right relationship followed by a right RESTORATION unto a meaningful ministry and is
finalized in a right RESTITUTION for
a willful wrong…
A righteous RECEPTION!
Here
in these POWERFUL passages, the “Apostle Paul”
has been referring to his IMPRISONMENT as he rattles his prisoner’s “chains”
of God’s TRUTH within this brief
“letter” from the heart:
But without thy mind would I do
nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly – Philemon 14
In
other words, “Paul” says to “Philemon” as such: “I’m
sending Onesimus back to you because I truly believe in the nobility of your
spiritual life of whom God has made righteous. Therefore, I will not presume to
keep him here with me in Rome by compulsion nor without your consent. Rather, I
want it to be the choice of your own will!” Thus, this “willingly” magnificent “man of God” has DECIDED according to his own
Christ-centered – Wonderful WILL!
There
is much becoming BEAUTY found
here in these poignant passages! The “Apostle
Paul” avidly AFFIRMS the gracious and loving
core CHARACTER of master “Philemon”
himself. And if he only knew just how much “Onesimus” had meant
to brother “Paul” and how “profitable” he had became
unto him, perhaps “Philemon”
would have wanted him to STAY in Rome as a granted GIFT bestowed
upon pastor “Paul” in kind.
Rather, “Paul” poignantly
places “Philemon” in a high POSITION as
a mightily MATURE and fully FORGIVEN
follower of “Jesus Christ” in
boldly “beseeching” him to make
a solid SACRIFICE unto his WEAKER brother. Thus, POWERFULLY proclaiming
– “I will SACRIFICE for YOU!”
A righteous RESTORATION!
Next,
notice how “Paul” rightly refers
to the Sovereignty of our great “God” Himself:
For perhaps he therefore departed
for a season, that thou shouldest receive him forever – Philemon 15
THEOLOIGICAL THOUGHTS: Here “Paul”
uses the word “perhaps” as a backdrop for
this very PROPHETIC point. WHY? Because NO one can truly “know”
the Sovereign solace SECRET magnificent mind and movement of our
great “God” Himself! And even
though ALL things are known ONLY to
Him, it is a reasonable assumption to “believe”
that HE had
mindfully “meant” to absolutely allow
these deeply DIFFICULT and challenging
CIRCUMSTANCES of trying “trespass” for a particular “season” in the looming life
of this “brother beloved” himself…
So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the
trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now,
we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father.
And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and fell
down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph
said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye
thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is
this day, to save much people alive – Genesis 50:17-20
And he that searcheth the hearts
knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the
saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together
for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his
purpose – Romans 8:27-28
And
concerning FORGIVENESS… Do you
remember “Marcus” (A.K.A.) “John Mark” himself? It is in Acts chapter 13 where we find this “departing” dictation directed towards him
by Doctor Luke:
Now when Paul and his company
loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from
them returned to Jerusalem – Acts
13:13
In
other words, when the going got tough, this once spiritually
IMMATURE man of God had “departed” by rudimentarily running
home to his mother of whom was located in “Jerusalem” itself – Home RUN!
Then
later in Acts chapter 15 we find further
fall-out brewing between “Paul” and “John, whose surname was Mark” the “determined” cousin of “Barnabas” in that it was “not
good to take him with them” for the ministry
“work” appointed by “God” Himself:
And Barnabas determined to take
with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him
with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the
work – Acts
15:37-38
However,
in one of his Pastoral Epistles
the “Apostle Paul” eventually says concerning “Mark” in that “Timothy” should “bring him” along so that they may “take” him back into the Colossian fold.
WHY? Because it was now some twelve
years later and this man “Mark”
having “departed for a season” has
now been rightly RESTORED
to firm FELLOWSHIP with “Paul” and had also become quite “profitable”
for MUCH meaningful “ministry”
unto “God” as such:
Only Luke
is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for
the ministry –
2 Timothy 4:11
Graciously,
our “Lord Jesus Christ” would
eventually use this man “Mark”
for a mighty “ministry” as a MATURE servant of “God”
in kind. HOW? By willingly “writing” the God-inspired Gospel of Mark of which bears his
very name – Usefulness FOR God!
Similarly,
“perhaps” brother “Onesimus”
had direly “departed” from his mindful
master “Philemon” as a temporary
separation brought about BY our grandiose “God”
Himself to one day “bring it to pass” as an
eventual eternal union DESIGNED by our Sovereign
gracious “God” in kind – GOD’S Wonderful WILL!
Incidentally,
from the LOST world’s woefully WICKED
perspective, what “Onesimus” had done to DEEPLY deceive “Philemon”
would have generated irreparable damage to his TRUST for this man “Onesimus”
to be sure, not to mention his very LIFE!
However, wherever “God” is wonderfully WORKING through His “servant”
sources “both in the flesh” and “in the Lord” succinctly, all of OUR sordid SIN
goes “much more” by the wayside…
Not now as a servant, but above a
servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both
in the flesh, and in the Lord? – Philemon
16
CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: This is NOT a clarion call for an emancipation proclamation
of sorts and this is definitely NOT
a pious plea for “Philemon” to set “Onesimus” free from his rightful
place as a “servant” slave. WHY? Because as “Paul”
powerfully PROCLAIMS elsewhere throughout his excellent “epistle” writings…
Let every man abide in the same
calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for
it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in
the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is
called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye
the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein
abide with God – 1 Corinthians 7:20-24
Where there is
neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian,
bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all – Colossians
3:11
Exhort servants
to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things;
not answering again – Titus 2:9
In
ancient times, a “slave” was much AKIN to a
fine family
member of whom is cared for and loved by them. And it was a workable
and economic
real relevant RELATIONSHIP back in the first
century of which absolutely NO character in the Bible EVER attempted to OVERTURN
as such. Our “Lord Jesus Christ” Himself
did NOT try
to do so nor
did His “Apostles” themselves. And if
you were “called” by our great “God” unto His SALVATION
of the soul as a “slave”
you rightly REMAINED as such, but NOW
as the “Lord’s” fine – FREEMAN in HIM!
Conversely,
if you are “called” as a FREEMAN you
have “become” a sound “slave” of our “Lord
Jesus Christ” as such! Therefore, “Onesimus”
was indeed a “slave” unto “Philemon” in an EARTHLY sense and a “slave”
unto “Jesus Christ” in a HEAVENLY sense.
However, these two magnificent “men”
are NOW much MORE than simply “master”
and “slave” succinctly… They are
BOLD Brother’s IN Jesus Christ!
A righteous RESTITUTION!
This
“work of the Spirit” through full FORGIVENESS from
an honorable “heart” between “Philemon” and “Onesimus”
boldly began with a righteous RECEPTION to right relationship followed by a righteous RESTORATION to
meaningful ministry. And now there was a righteous RESTITUTION
addressing a WILLFULL waning wrong…
If thou count me therefore a
partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought,
put that on mine account – Philemon 17-18
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: Back in that day, there were laws of
financial restitution within the nation of “Israel”
and the Old Testament laid them out
quite succinctly. Justice demanded and deserved
a FULL revealing
restitution.
And in this case, “Onesimus” could NOT possibly
pay back this financial DEBT of a thievery dutifully “owed” to “Philemon”
his human “master” and spiritual “brother” in FULL account. Therefore, to rightly RECONCILE this rustled RELATIONSHIP unfurled, SOMEONE must legally pay the DEBT in
his place…
And when he came to himself, he
said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare,
and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto
him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more
worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he
arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father
saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And
the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight,
and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his
servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand,
and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let
us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was
lost, and is found. And they began to be merry – Luke
15:17-24
This
deep DISPUTE between “Philemon”
and “Onesimus” represents a caring Christ-like
act on the part of “Paul” himself. And in this particular
scenario, he purposefully PAYS the departed DEBT
on behalf of “Onesimus” who had “sinned” against “Philemon”
in FULL order. HOW?
Here “Paul” offers himself
as the substitute settled “account”
according to the financial payment of the monetary DEBT rightly
“owed” in kind – A matter
of LIFE and DEATH!
Therefore,
“Paul” in the “Christian”
context of full FORGIVENESS brings together
a once “wronged” situation through
real RESTITUTION
of a right RELATIONSHIP between spiritual siblings “Philemon”
and “Onesimus” by acting as their – Mindful MODERATOR!
In
closing:
FORGIVENESS! This is EXACTLY what
our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” did by
the “grace of God” for each of “us” in kind! We ALL have a VERY serious “sin”
soaked eternal DEBT of which
“we” could NEVER pay back! And our Sovereign sweet “Savior”
prophetically PAYS our entire dire DEBT that
is “owed” unto Him in FULL
order to rightly RESTORE us in His “peace” and “holiness”
unto our Great “God the Father” in heaven…
Follow peace with all men, and
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any
man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble
you, and thereby many be defiled – Hebrews 12:14-15
Beloved
brethren, this is Christ-likeness in adamant ACTION! And “we” are never more LIKE our
loving “Lord” than when we “diligently” do away with any begrudging “bitterness springing up” within our HEART of
which seeks to “defile” our loving “lives” by fully FORGIVING
each other – God’s PERFECT picture of PIETY!
REAL
REFLECTIONS: Are you a “Christian” who fully FORGIVES
other folks? The pinnacle of full FORGIVENESS is the eternal example given by our “Lord Jesus Christ” Himself. And the greatest
act of TREACHERY done against anyone was by the HANDS of heinous humans against
Him. And yet He “said” to His “Father” on THEIR behalf:
Then said
Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do… – Luke
23:34a
And
even though they were DOING what “God the Father”
Sovereignly wanted DONE unto “Jesus Christ”
the “Son” Himself, it did NOT lessen their – PERSONAL culpability!
REAL
REFLECTIONS: Are you a “Christian” who fully FORGIVES
other folks? The pinnacle of full FORGIVENESS is the eternal example given by our “Lord Jesus Christ” Himself. And the greatest
act of TREACHERY done against anyone was by the HANDS of heinous humans against
Him. And yet He “said” to His “Father” on THEIR behalf:
Then said
Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do… – Luke
23:34a
And
even though they were DOING what “God the Father”
Sovereignly wanted DONE unto “Jesus Christ”
the “Son” Himself, it did NOT lessen their – PERSONAL culpability!
Please begin reading through the excellent book of Philemon concerning
our “command” to lovingly LIVE out our “lives” in
complete Faithful Forgiveness unto others – AMEN!
Praise the Lord Jesus
Christ!We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!
Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"
