In Philemon1:9-1l, we read: “Yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you--being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ--I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.”
“I have to get away,” he thought. “Then life will be worth the living. No one to boss me around.”
He stood on the street corner, watching for a chance to steal some fruit--all of his funds gone. Heavy penalties if caught, he thought, but at that moment, hunger ruled.
Someone brushed against him, he turned, looked down and saw a small boy. A boy, white teeth glistering even though a front one was missing.
“Quick. Come with me.” The boy reached for his hand, tugged for him to follow. He shrugged. What did he have to lose? They zigzagged down one alley, then another. “Don’t think we’re followed,” the boy said. “I want you to meet a friend of mine.”
“In prison?” He sneered. He looked into the pleading eyes of the boy. “Okay. Who is this friend of yours?”
Onesimus stared at the little man, standing there. Even though in chains, he stood with hand outstretched in welcome. He must know what it was like to be a slave.
Onesimus learned even though he was a runaway slave, there was Someone who loved him and that Someone was the same God that his master loved. For the first time, he realized his name, Onesimus, or “useful,” was his rightful name.
The apostle Paul not only led him to the Lord Jesus but now insisted he make things right. With God first, then his master, and fellow man. But he didn’t insist and send him on his way. He sent him on his way with a letter in hand, that declared he was now the son of Paul, and Paul had paid his debt in full, Paul and the Lord Jesus. From useless to useful.
I don’t know your name. But I do know that names are important. When I surrendered my life to the Lord Jesus Christ, He gave me a new name. He calls me child, daughter, friend, a part of His Bride. He has promised to never leave nor forsake me and to love me with an everlasting love.
Kingdom Thinking. You have the same promises. The Lord Jesus wants you to be one of His. He wants to give you a new name. Won’t you come to Him today? He loves you and waits for you.
“I have to get away,” he thought. “Then life will be worth the living. No one to boss me around.”
He stood on the street corner, watching for a chance to steal some fruit--all of his funds gone. Heavy penalties if caught, he thought, but at that moment, hunger ruled.Someone brushed against him, he turned, looked down and saw a small boy. A boy, white teeth glistering even though a front one was missing.
“Quick. Come with me.” The boy reached for his hand, tugged for him to follow. He shrugged. What did he have to lose? They zigzagged down one alley, then another. “Don’t think we’re followed,” the boy said. “I want you to meet a friend of mine.”
Onesimus stared at the little man, standing there. Even though in chains, he stood with hand outstretched in welcome. He must know what it was like to be a slave.
Onesimus learned even though he was a runaway slave, there was Someone who loved him and that Someone was the same God that his master loved. For the first time, he realized his name, Onesimus, or “useful,” was his rightful name.
The apostle Paul not only led him to the Lord Jesus but now insisted he make things right. With God first, then his master, and fellow man. But he didn’t insist and send him on his way. He sent him on his way with a letter in hand, that declared he was now the son of Paul, and Paul had paid his debt in full, Paul and the Lord Jesus. From useless to useful.I don’t know your name. But I do know that names are important. When I surrendered my life to the Lord Jesus Christ, He gave me a new name. He calls me child, daughter, friend, a part of His Bride. He has promised to never leave nor forsake me and to love me with an everlasting love.
Kingdom Thinking. You have the same promises. The Lord Jesus wants you to be one of His. He wants to give you a new name. Won’t you come to Him today? He loves you and waits for you.
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