The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
(Over the next few days, we will consider the the Apostle Paul's epistle to Philemon, one of my favorite portions of Scripture, and one of its most Christ-exalting and revealing revelations of truth.)
"Philemon"
Part 7 - "Brothers"
"For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him forever" (Philemon 1:15).
Onesimus left as a slave. We can surmise Philemon responded well to the Apostle Paul's intercession, whereby Onesimus returned and was received as a brother, forever bound to Philemon in the bond of Christ's love that dwelt in both men's hearts (Philemon 1:10; 19).
Long ago in Eden, the heart of the human race turned away from God by distrusting and disobeying Him (Genesis 3). The Lord immediately began His working to redeem us unto Himself. In general terms and personally, we all "departed," but hopefully, only "for a season." For those who trust the Lord Jesus, we return to be received forever. In the marvel of God's grace and providence, believers enter into a far greater relationship with God through the Lord Jesus than ever we would have known had sin not occurred.
"Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 5:20-21).
In no way does this mean that God determined the sin of Adam, or the sin of any other. "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man, but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed" (James 1:13-14). It does mean, however, that God's redeeming work in Christ makes possible a light of grace in our Lord we would never have seen had the darkness of sin not occurred. Countless hearts and minds have pondered such a wonder of providence through the ages, seeking light that illuminates the mystery of God's ways "past finding out" (Roman 11:33). Glimmers are seen here and there. However, the predominant conclusion of even the brightest among us speaks to far more bewilderment than understanding regarding a grace whereby the redeemed discover the love of God in a boundless measure that would have not been possible had we not needed His redemption. "The love of Christ… passeth knowledge" (Ephesians 3:19).
We may wonder about the relationship of Philemon and Onesimus that transpired after Paul's intercession. Scripture does not provide an account of the slave's return to his master. Actually, no such occurrence took place. A brother rather returned to meet a brother, as led by the One who had now become their mutual Father and Master. The sublime character and nature of the Lord Jesus indwelt the hearts of both men, who must have entered into a bond of brotherhood and friendship that lasted a lifetime (and extended into eternity). "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (I Peter 1:22).
The scenario vividly reflects the relationship freely given to all believers, departed for a season from our Lord, but returned and redeemed to forever know our Lord's love, and to love Him in grateful and amazed response. "We love Him because He first loved us" (I John 4:19). We have been "received forever," which includes this moment to ponder with fresh amazement the grace whereby former slaves of sin, worthy only of condemnation, return to be greeted as beloved sons and daughters.
He left a slave, racing toward the grave.
He returned a brother, redeemed by Another.
Another whom his master knew,
his master's Master.
his brother's Master.
In Christ, they came together,
bound by love and grace.
In shared devotion, faith, and wonder,
they raised their hearts together
to look upon His face.
What they saw, what they see,
united them forever
as sons of the same Father.
Saints, friends, brothers
in His house - in His heart - together.
together forever.
"God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved), and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
(Ephesians 2:4-7)
Weekly Memory Verse
Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Romans 5:20-21).
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