Onesimus is no longer just a slave; he is a beloved brother, especially to me.
Now he will mean much more to you, both as slave and brother in the Lord.
Philemon 1:16 NLT
Christ represents you before God—interceding for potential slaves to sin.
Your Savior’s prayers on your behalf prove His unconditional love.
Your Defense Counsel argues your case before My throne.
Celebrate acquittal, rest assured of His love, be confident of His help.
The accuser points out failures—the Advocate pardons and protects.
The care of the Lord is your reason for hope.
You are forgiven.
Christ reconciles you to God—bridging the gap between us caused by sin.
The price of salvation joins our hearts—mercy unites you with your Creator.
The Sinless Lamb took all your trespasses on His shoulders.
In exchange, He gave you the love of His heart—that is unfair, but grace.
You were a runaway prodigal, but you came home—now there is peace.
The celebration of the Lord is your song of joy.
We are friends.
Christ redeemed you from slavery to sin—paying a debt you could not pay.
The path to serenity is open—He unshackles you from awful addiction.
Make sin a lifestyle and you will self-destruct—follow Me and you will soar.
Peace of mind is not found at the Devil’s carnival—only in My company.
Stay near My heart and I will teach you heaven’s freestyle jig of joy.
The cost of liberation has been paid at Skull Hill.
You are free.
Christ reinforces you to serve God—strengthening you to do My will.
The privilege of slavery to Me is a little-known secret—the key to joy.
To be My servant gives you a noble purpose and a promise beyond time.
When I make a difference in you, you can make a difference in your world.
Make Me your Master and you will never suffer bondage to the evil one.
The chains of love never chafe.
You are focused.
© Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 353, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Book available at www.Amazon.com
Comments
Indeed, Christ does this for us. Well said.
But let's not reorganize this passage re Onesimus to teach something the the Holy Spirit, through Paul, was messaging to us in the expressed text. If we hold a high view of scripture, asserting #solascriptura, then we need to stick with the overt text itself and not lean into our own understanding, nor the long history of commentaries published by the wealthy Philemons of the world, not the enslaved Onesimus's. Paul makes no assertion of wrongdoing by Onesimus, nor proposed #forgiveness by Philemon, but rather promises to cover any remaining indebtedness IF ANY. Paul makes no assertion that Onesimus 'ran away'. Nor do we accuse Paul of returning a fugitive slave, in defiance of Old Testament mandates against such a return. If we stick to the text itself, we may only understand the obvious message: No matter how Onesimus traveled to Paul (likely as a courier), Paul is effectviely mandating manumission.
So let your poem reflect the truest irony:
That our Messiah frees the captives, actually even repentant Captors.