Today’s Devotion
Topic: Christian Fellowship: Lessons From Paul’s Letter To Philemon (Part 3)
Self-Assessment
Background: The past two weeks have seen us discussing Christian fellowship. Citing Paul’s letter to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus as our case study, we have been trying to explain how our fellowship with one another can only thrive on mutual love, respect and understanding.
You remember that Onesimus used to work for Philemon as his slave but run from his master’s household and found himself with Paul and his team. After nurturing him in the Lord, Paul decided that the more Christian thing to do was to send Onesimus back to his master, Philemon. But not without a letter that should appeal to Philemon’s Christianity to accept Onesimus back; not as a slave anymore, but as a brother in Christ.
Now, shall we carefully examine the concluding part of Paul’s letter and wrap up our discussion on the subject.
Text: Philemon 17- 25
17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back — not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. 22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.
24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen
Questions:
i. How could Paul come up with such a good statement that ‘if Philemon considered him a partner, then he should welcome Onesimus as he would Paul’? Was the latter in anyway trying to prove that Onesimus was to be as important to Philemon as Paul was? Does this mean that all of us in Christ are equal, irrespective of our past and backgrounds?
ii. In verse 18, Paul offered to be charged with anything Onesimus owed Philemon. However, in 19b, he mentioned that Philemon owed him (Paul) his very self. What was the Apostle trying to imply?
iii. Explain this: “I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ”, in the context of our discussion. How should this apply in our daily relationship with other believers?
iv. Kindly read verse 21 again. On what basis do you think Paul was confident that Philemon would be obedient of what he’d written to the latter, and even do more?
v. In verse 22, Paul requested that a guest room be made ready for him as he was hoping to be restored to the church in Philemon’s house in answer to their prayers. How does this reveal the importance of intercession, especially for one another; and most importantly, how is Paul’s personal follow-up after this letter relevant to the reconciliation process?
vi. From the 3 studies completed so far, where do you think Christians get it wrong; reasons why our homes and gatherings are full of malice, strife, bitterness, hatred and backfiring?
vii. What have you learnt from today’s study?
Kindly send answers through this same social media platform (Facebook and WhatsApp). We learn a great deal from the answers you share.
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