Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon: These letters are known, collectively, as the prison letters. They were written by Paul during his time of imprisonment in Rome. In Philippians, we see God's kingdom as a kingdom as a kingdom of joy: "Rejoice in the Lord always, and, again, I say, rejoice" (Philippians 4:4). When the Lord …
Category: Philemon
Do You Feel Useless? You Can Become Useful.
Philemon 1-25 ‘He was useless... now he has become useful’(11). This is the story of Onesimus (the name means ‘useful’). A runaway ‘slave’, he became ‘a beloved brother... in the Lord’(16). It appears that Onesimus had stolen from his master, Philemon (18-19). He landed up in prison - and there, he was converted! This is …
Continue reading Do You Feel Useless? You Can Become Useful.
Be zealous for good deeds, but never forget this: “He saved us, not because of deeds done by us” (Journey through the New Testament: Titus and Philemon).
Titus When we live in a Christlike way, ‘those who oppose’ Christ and His Gospel will be ‘put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us’ (2:8). God wants us to live as ‘a people of His own who are zealous for good deeds’ (2:14). If we are to be ‘zealous for good deeds’, …
In all that we do, we need love.
"Christ makes me bold enough to order you to do the right thing. 9 However, I would prefer to make an appeal on the basis of love" (Philemon 8-9). In all that we do, we need love. We learn this love from Jesus "who loved us and gave himself for us" (Galatians 2:20).
Sharing our Faith Effectively
Philemon, verse 6 – “that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” These words bring to mind several other verses of Scripture. * “acknowledging every good thing … ” indicates that we are to share our faith in the spirit …
The Lord’s people must not be afraid to stand up for Him.
Jeremiah 52:1-34; Titus 1:1-16; Psalm 119:105-112 The final chapter of Jeremiah speaks of the fall of Jerusalem, followed by captivity in Babylon. Difficulties face God’s people in every generation: “There are many rebellious people ... “ (Titus 1:10). The Lord’s people must not be afraid to stand up for Him (Titus 1:11). Whatever others may …
Continue reading The Lord’s people must not be afraid to stand up for Him.
How are we to live, and become useful servants of the Lord?
TITUS 1:1-2:10 - How are we to live? We are not to be ‘empty talkers’, people who ‘profess to know God’ and ‘deny Him by their deeds’ (1:10,16). We must give no one the opportunity to ‘speak evil of God’s Word’. We must be ‘a model of good deeds’, showing ‘the beauty of the teachings …
Continue reading How are we to live, and become useful servants of the Lord?
Faith and love; Prayer and thanksgiving
"When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith towards the Lord Jesus" (Philemon 4-5). In the Christian life, we look above to Jesus, and we look out to one another. We need both: looking up to Jesus and looking, around us, …
Philemon
This short letter tells the story of Onesimus: formerly "of no use", now "useful." This is a picture of what it means to be born again. The useless becomes the useful. God calls us to be useful in the work of the Gospel, to become servants whom He can use.
Let us love another – and show the love of God to one another.
Lamentations 2:7-3:39; Philemon 1-25; Psalm 119:121-128 At the heart of the book of Lamentations, there is this great declaration concerning the love of God: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed” (Lamentations 3:22). His love reaches us not only directly but also through the love of His people - “Your love, dear …
Continue reading Let us love another – and show the love of God to one another.
We receive love from the Lord, and we share his love with one another.
"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people" (Philemon, verse 7). Love is not for keeping to ourselves. It's for sharing. When we show love to others, we bring them "great joy," We encourage them. We refresh their hearts. Receive love from the Lord. Receive …
Continue reading We receive love from the Lord, and we share his love with one another.
One Year Bible: Days 274-304
Day 274 Jeremiah 2:31-4:9; Philippians 2:12-30; Psalm 115:12-18 The Lord calls us back from our backsliding: “Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding” (Jeremiah 3:22). The returning people say, “Yes, we will come to You, for You are the Lord our God ... surely in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel” …
Learning From God's Word 