A Moment With GodSample

USED BY GOD

The book of Philemon is Paul’s epistle to Philemon, a church leader who lived at Colossé. It is a small book with only twenty five verses. But it teaches us powerful and valuable lessons.

The book is divided into three sections:

• v4 to v7 talks about the character of Philemon
• v6 to v19 explains the intercession for Onesimus
• v20 to v22 describes the fellowship of Paul and Philemon in the Lord

The background to the book of Philemon is the story of a runaway slave by the name of Onesimus, who belongs to Philemon, but who now runs away from Rome. Onesimus, a slave of Philemon, had run away, having evidently robbed his master (Philemon 18). His travels somehow brought him to Rome where, in the providence of God, he came in contact with Paul. Through this contact Paul led Onesimus to know the Savior. Then Onesimus in some way became useful to Paul. But Paul realized that Onesimus had a responsibility to Philemon and should make restitution for his thievery. Thus Paul deemed it right to return Onesimus to Philemon. Tychicus was given the responsibility of carrying Paul’s letter from Rome to the Colossians, and Onesimus evidently traveled back with him (Col. 4:7-9).

This book then is Paul’s letter to Philemon, explaining the situation, and request that Onesimus not be treated as a thieving runaway slave, but now as a beloved brother in Christ.

At Rome, Onesimus encounters Paul and his life is touched and transformed as he meets with the Lord.

Paul, then, writes to Philemon that Onesimus who was once useless is now useful to him.

There are some comparisons that we can draw from the life of Onesimus to our own lives.

• Just like Onesimus was a runaway slave, we too have fled from the presence of the Lord. We have run far away from Him.
• Paul writes an IOU to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus saying: If there is any debt, write it on me. Similarly, all our sins were paid for on the Cross by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He has written off our debt, a debt that we would never be able to repay.
• Like Onesimus who is now a brother in the Lord to Paul, we are joint heirs with Christ.

A church leader Ignatius, on his way to his execution in Rome in 110 AD writes that he met a Bishop in Smyrna by the name Onesimus. Onesimus who by now must have been about 70 years old was interested in gathering and preserving all Pauline letters.

Initially as a runaway slave who fled from his master’s presence, we see him being converted and serving Paul in prison. We see him as the Bishop of Ephesus. History records that he is then executed as he refuses to deny his faith in God.

An insignificant person, a rebel can be used by God simply because he submitted himself to be used for the ministry of God.

When we submit ourselves to God, He can do amazing things with our life.