Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God

Have you ever had someone stand up for you or speak on your behalf?
It might have felt a bit uncomfortable at first but then their kindness floods your heart with gratitude.
Someone who knows your mistakes and seeks to help anyway.
Someone who says, "You are not alone, we’ve all made mistakes."
Someone who guides you toward the One who Redeems and Restores.
Someone who recognizes your repentance and change of heart.
Someone who can testify to your new walk by faith.

Paul was that someone for Onesimus.

Our reading today shines a light on Philemon 1. This book of the Bible consists of one chapter only, but, wow, is it filled with wisdom and forgiveness! Paul is writing a personal letter to his friend, Philemon. In his letter, Paul expresses appreciation for their friendship. Philemon was a Greek landowner who had been converted under Paul’s ministry. Philemon opened his home where the Colossian church met - one of the original house churches. Philemon had a slave named Onesimus who had wronged him and ran away. Onesimus made his way to Rome where he met Paul. From prison, Paul led Onesimus to the Lord.

In verses 11-16, Paul makes an appeal on Onesimus’ behalf. Paul knows Onesimus’ sin and Paul also knows of his repentance. Paul had grown to love Onesimus as he loved Philemon - as brothers in Christ. Paul witnessed the change in Onesimus’ heart and hoped Philemon would accept Onesimus back into his home and fellowship.

“Perhaps the reason he (Onesimus) was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good - no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.” Philemon 1:15

Paul worked to transform relationships. He knew the beauty of forgiveness. The Gospel began to change social structures by changing the people within those structures. (See 1 Corinthians 7:20-24, Ephesians 6:5-9, Colossians 3:22-4:1) The life and message of Jesus Christ changes everything. HE taught and illuminated the Upside Down Kingdom where the last can become first, the weak can become strong, and a slave can become a brother.

JESUS stands up for us!
JESUS speaks to His Father on our behalf!
HE knows our mistakes and seeks to help anyway.
HE says, “You are not alone! I am with you!”
HE is the One who Redeems and Restores.
HE recognizes our repentance and change of heart.
HE will testify to our new walk of faith in HIM!

Perhaps you have stood in Philemon’s shoes as the offended or Onesimus’ shoes as the offender; possibly even in Paul’s shoes as an intercessor. The amazing fact is they each played a part in God’s plan to expand His Kingdom. HE calls us to be used in similar ways and circumstances. We are part of His plan! How will you participate in Jesus’ Upside Down Kingdom today? Do you need to forgive someone, seek forgiveness from another, or stand up on someone’s behalf?

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence

Reflection:

• Ask the Lord to bring to mind someone who has spoken positively on your behalf. What character traits shone in that person? How did your view of them change? Did gratitude fill your heart?
• Now picture Jesus standing where that person stood. How would you answer the same questions about HIM?

Family Devo: Philemon 1

By: Nichole McCardle

When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model.  

Head: the knowledge of God and His Word | Heart: the personal connection from scripture | Hands: a missional mindset 

Head

Today, we are reading the entire book of Philemon! It is another letter from Paul, and this time, it is to his friend, Philemon. Philemon was a Christian and also a slave owner. Back during this time, some men had slaves. Slaves were men who did work for their slave owners, and they were not allowed to leave their slave owners. Philemon had a slave named Onesimus, but he ran away from Philemon. This probably made Philemon pretty angry. Paul writes to Philemon to tell him that Onesimus became a Christian and was now a follower of Jesus. Paul explains that Onesimus has changed the way he lives and acts, and he encourages Philemon to allow Onesimus to return. But not only that, he asks Philemon to accept Onesimus back not as a servant, but as a brother!

Heart

Sin creates separation not only between us and God, but it creates separation between us and other people. Sin divides us, makes us not treat each other equally, makes us fight, and makes us try to control others. But Jesus died to restore our separation from God. As followers of Jesus, we have been forgiven, so we should also forgive others. Just as Paul encouraged Philemon to love and forgive Onesimus, God wants us to love and forgive those in our lives as well.

Hands

Paul wrote letters and used messengers to get the letters to his friends. Today, we have a much easier time getting messages and info to friends. Think of two fun ways you can get a message to a friend and use those ways to invite two people to church with you.

Prayer: God, thank You for Your forgiveness and love that You offer to me. Help me to live out the gospel and offer that forgiveness to others in my life. I love you, Jesus. Amen.