December 10

Paul wrote the letter to his Christian brother, Philemon, while he was imprisoned in Rome (Acts 28:30&31). Since Philemon was living in Colosse at the time, this letter was probably penned when he also wrote the Colossian letter and both were delivered at the same time. Paul was obviously a close friend of Philemon’s, having been instrumental in his conversion to Christ (vs.19). Apphia is probably the wife of Philemon and Archippus is their son. Having been at the home of Philemon before, Paul might have known some of Philemon’s slaves. One of them, Onesimus, has escaped and fled to Rome. We don’t know the timing of Onesimus’ trip to Rome. Did he know that Paul was there and so he purposely went to meet with Paul in Rome? Or, was Onesimus already in Rome and he sought a meeting with Paul when he heard Paul was a prisoner in that city? Or, was Onesimus in Rome and he and Paul had a chance meeting? What we do know is this; when we invite God to begin His work of redemption and transformation in us, He aims to finish the task no matter where we go or what we do. “I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again” (Philippians 1:6). In this process of changing our character so that it resembles the character of Christ himself (Phil.3:12-14; I John 3:2; II Corinthians 3:18), God will use many people, many unusual circumstances, and the power of His Word to mold us and shape us as He wills. We have the promise that “all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). God’s plan for our lives simply will not be deterred, no matter what turns our lives take, and regardless of whether we always make the right decisions or not.
God had begun a good work in the life of a slave named, Onesimus, in the city of Colosse. We don’t know whether Onesimus was a Christian before he was purchased to be a slave in Philemon’s house or if Onesimus found Jesus while employed by his Christian master, Philemon. What we do know is that God aimed to complete His project in Onesimus, regardless of where this slave went or what he did. If God took such careful consideration to bless Onesimus and help him find the Lord, than God would also take care to make sure that Onesimus grew in his relationship with the Lord. “Since God did not spare even His own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else (we need to live and grow)?” (Romans 8:32). The answer is a resounding, “YES!”
What is true of Onesimus, is also true of us. God has a plan for each of our lives (Jeremiah 29:11-14). He has predetermined that when we begin searching for spiritual answers to our lives, we will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29; Matthew 7:7&8; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 8:29). And when we find the Lord and commit our lives to Him, He begins a transformation in us that will ultimately be completed when we leave this life for the one beyond.