ONesimus was a former runaway slave that became a Christian and had to return to the master from which he first ran. By gods grace, Paul had known Philemon(the slave owner) and writes a letter asking on behalf of Onesmus that Philemon take the slave back, but not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ...only God can take someone that was formerly "useless" and make them "USEFUL"
We are no different the Onesimus, don't be disheartened, there is Joy unparalleled, Gods grace is amazing, His love unrivaled.
Philemon 1:11
"Formerly he was useless to you but now he is indeed useful to you and to me."
There are three things we may draw from this:
1. He was useless
a.past tense
b.Paul acknowledged his prior life
c. Paul does not hide or "sugar coat"
not a little useful
not worth a little
He was USELESS
2. He became useful
a. At some point when He encountered Paul, He encounter CHRIST and was dramatically changed
b. Paul tells us how he is useful "by helping him spread the gospel"
c. He is now useful to others as well
d. He has been set apart from his old name, his past, he in fact has now become holy
Quote from Leonard Ravenhill
"The wonder of the grace of God is that God can take an holy man out of a unholy world and make that man holy and put him back into a unholy world and keep him holy"
3. He sent him back
a. Onesimus had to go back
b. He was going back to a world that only knew of his previous deeds(his past)
c. Although he was changed, holy, he was going back to a place where he only had Gods grace, and promises.
This is a beautiful picture of Gods grace in our lives as well. We too were formerly useless, but when you came to Christ, there was a change and you are now USEFUL. Yes, you have a past that is shady at best, but you are useful. Yes, you have to go back to the "real world", but you are USEFUL. There has been a change, and those who have encountered God almighty, His son, and have committed their lives to Him, have been changed...YOU ARE USEFUL!
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