September 26, 2021 – Philemon

Philemon is a very short epistle from Paul to a fellow worker for Christ. Paul begins by thanking Philemon for his love and ministry for Jesus and the saints. Paul’s primary intention, though, is to plead on behalf of Onesimus, a slave who had run away from Philemon. Paul writes: “For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a beloved brother” (vss. 15,16). Sort of a picture of our relationship to the Savior, isn’t it? Once relating to him in an antagonistic way, rebels against him and haters of him, we have been brought to Jesus as brothers. That's grace! Amazing grace! Hearts once alienated from him are now filled with the love of Jesus.

Let my heart be pure from sin,

Filled with the love of Jesus;

Help me, Lord, Thy grace to win,

Filled with the love of Jesus;

All Thou bid’st me I would do,

While Thy loving life I view;

Faithful be my heart, and true,

Filled with the love of Jesus. --William Cushing (19th century)