A New Freedom

Scripture – Philemon 15-20: ¹⁵Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good—¹⁶no 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. ¹⁷So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. ¹⁹I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. ²⁰I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) Paul stops just short of telling Philemon to set Onesimus free. At the same time, whether that happens legally or not, Philemon is to regard him as a brother. I don’t have slaves. But I do have people I keep at arm’s length – people I refuse to welcome as a brother or sister. If Philemon follows through with what Paul writes, who would experience the greater freedom – he or Onesimus?

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will look within myself. As I come across people today, I will be aware of how I see them and how open I am to welcoming them.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Help me in this, Lord. You know my heart. You know I’ve stopped short of saying I will welcome people today. Keep working within me. Keep expanding my heart. Teach me to welcome and care for people as you did when you walked on this earth.

An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, a small group will be meeting tomorrow morning, 9:45 – 10:30am, at the Southgate Fun and Fitness Center (on Northline near I-75). Look for them around one of the tables in the Café area.