The Importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ According to the Book of Philemon

Hallelujah. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Don’t you love it when the Spirit of God comes into a place in such a powerful way? In a world that is often filled with turmoil, pressure, and uncertainty, there are moments when the presence of God settles over us like a blanket of peace.

In those moments, we are reminded that God is still in control. His presence is a demonstration of His power, His mercy, and His desire to draw near to His people.

It is also a reminder that this life is not about us. It is not about image, ego, or personal recognition. This is a matter of life and death.

And God says to us in His Word: Choose life.

In fact, God Himself is life. True life is found in Him, and He offers it as a gift — a perfect gift, a precious gift, a real gift.

But I believe God is calling His people to go to another level — individually and corporately. I believe the hour we are living in carries a sense of urgency.

My life was not always lived inside the church. I grew up in the world and learned the ways of the world. But one day I found myself at the end of myself.

On October 24th, 1995, I crawled into a church exhausted, broken, and empty. From the outside everything looked fine. I had a job, a home, and nice things. But inside there was no peace.

That day I encountered the grace of God, and God saved my life.

One of my favorite books of the Bible is the book of Philemon. Though it is small, it contains a powerful picture of the Gospel.

The apostle Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned in Rome. He wrote to a believer named Philemon, a man of faith who hosted a church in his home.

But Paul was writing about a man named Onesimus. Onesimus had been a slave who ran away after wronging Philemon.

Ironically, the name Onesimus means useful. Yet at that time he likely felt completely useless.

While running from his past, Onesimus encountered Paul. Through fellowship, teaching, and the power of the Gospel, his life was transformed.

Paul later wrote: “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.”

Paul then sent Onesimus back to Philemon, not as a slave, but as a brother.

In this we see a picture of the Gospel. Just as Paul interceded for Onesimus, Jesus Christ intercedes for us.

There are many people today who feel like Onesimus once did — lost, ashamed, or without purpose. But the Gospel restores lives.

God takes what the world calls useless and makes it useful again.

He rebuilds broken hearts. He restores identity. He gives purpose where there was despair.

This is the message we carry. The Gospel is not just information — it is power.

Scripture says the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

Through the Gospel, lives are resurrected.

As believers, we carry this message. Sometimes it is as simple as telling someone, “Jesus loves you.”

God has filled us with His Spirit. He answers prayers and provides for us. If we believe this, we must allow the Gospel to flow through our lives.

God never throws people away.

The world may reject or disqualify us, but God restores. He takes those who feel useless and gives them purpose.

Just as Onesimus was restored, God restores lives today.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the mercy and grace found in Jesus Christ. Help us carry this message faithfully and share the hope of the Gospel with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What Jumped Out at Me:

I particularly appreciate this Scripture as it reminds me of God and Him sharing His Spirit and loving nature with us. He created us to love, to be loved and we are dependent upon His love. I often sit still and absorb, contemplate and thank Him for His love, which is so much more powerful than sin, death and everything else that man may experience. There are times when men don’t love, and there are times when men don’t love themselves, but God, our Father, who is Love, for certain, has proven His love for each one of us. For that, I am grateful. I believe His love is more precious than rubies. I think His love is worth far more than diamonds, and certainly more valuable than the arrows of temptation which every man encounters in life. Sometimes, we can feel his love, other times we can experience His love by faith and other times through hope, He reveals Himself, hence, His love. 

God is Awesome. 

How does this change my life?

Once again through God’s Word, I am reminded about this hierarchy, faith, hope and love, which shall remain. Of which, love is the greatest and is the primary thing I should focus on. Rather than striving for it, I will submit myself, and allow His love to lead me in His direction and wherever He would have me to go. 

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for your indescribable LOVE. You loved us so much that even while we were yet sinners, your Son shed His Blood and died for us. You have demonstrated your Love towards us so much, that we are without excuse if we don’t acknowledge you. Thank you again Lord for loving me/us enough to rescue me/us, keep me/us and bless me/us the way that you have. Help us to share the Love of God in the earth every day in a way that is pleasing to You.

In Jesus Christ Name I pray, 

Amen. 

^{1 Corinthians 6:1}

⁷ The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? ⁸ Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.

Verse 7(B) – Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated. 

While I did not always subscribe to this way of thinking, over the years, I have learned that there is certainly value in doing God’s Word. Esteeming others higher than oneself makes for better relationships, churches, a better country and a better world. Jesus said, ”If they slap you, give them the other cheek.” Jesus said, “Humble yourself, and you will be exalted.” In todays’ world, it seems that arrogance often prompts the need for extreme defense. Contrarily the Christian appreciates Jesus, our example, who defended the truth instead of defending Himself, even as He carried His Cross and walked to His death. 

I believe Paul was confirming that it is better to seemingly lose or be cheated than to sin and have offenses with our Christian brothers and sisters. When arrogance is present, divisions are too commonplace because when arrogance is present, man inherently becomes too easily offended. 

How does this change my life? 

I want to focus on what is important, God, His Kingdom, those He has placed in my life, and the work He has for me to do. I want to give those things everything I have. I have no interest in battling others who have disdain towards or against me. I am sincerely willing to say, “I am sorry”, and attempt to make restitution if applicably possible. If I have offended anyone, please forgive me. As I age, I notice that sometimes, their disdain does not subside even when I go out of my way to please them. 

Prayer

Father, 

Thank you for sharing your goodness with your children. Forgive us when we take our eyes off you and place them on ourselves, other people, things and more. Help us to be so close to you so that revenge, conflict, competition, greed and evil desires don’t sinfully influence our hearts, minds and relationships. May the value of people be higher on the totem poles of our lives. 

Lord, Thank you that your ways are higher than our ways. Thank you that vengeance is yours. Thank you that the victory is yours, and that you granted it to us, your children, through Jesus Christ. 

In Jesus Name. Amen.

^{Ephesians 1}

^{What Jumped Out:}

 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit^[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17)

Why it Jumped Out:

He planned and created the life of each person, so everyone was born because of and through Him. (Ephesians 1:4-5)

While this chapter usually enthuses me with words like inheritance, predestined, adoption, pleasure, riches, every spiritual blessing, redemption, wisdom, revelation, etc., this time I was attracted to and easily impressed upon by v17(b) “so that you may know him better”.

How this Bible Scripture Changes my Life:

I believe the born and the unborn have experiences with God. 

Paul stated he repetitively requests from God, that we may know God better. The Apostle Paul is not prescribing religious works nor religious activity or duty fulfillment. Instead, his prescription prompts us towards increased intimacy and a special kind of “giving” to God. This type of giving is non-material. 

Intimacy with God is giving one’s entire self to Him, including the sharing of one’s thoughts, the details of our encounters, inviting Him into our relationships, our words, conversations, and even the most minute activities, concerns and occurrences in our days. 

While faithfulness to Jesus Christ is important, knowing Him better is not being overly “faithful” or overly “dedicated” to religious activity, but instead by giving every aspect of our lives over to Him and including Him in not only our days, but also, the minutes and seconds of the day. To know Him better, we should invite Him into everything with praise and thanksgiving. By doing so, we are giving our seconds, minutes, hours and days to God. Proverbs 16:3 says, “What you submit to the Lord will be established (or succeed).” Since He knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8), I believe He is waiting for us to draw closer to Him by simply inviting Him into and giving to Him the intimate parts of our lives.

Sometimes we have problems or situations that we don’t take to Him. Since He created everything, He can fix everything.   

My Prayer

Lord, forgive me for when I have kept you at a distance, for not inviting you to have your way in areas of my life that I thought I had control over or didn’t think you were interested in. Thank you that whatever we commit to you will succeed according to your Word. Therefore, God fully enter in to my entire life not because of the so many blessings that come with your Presence, but so that I may know you better.

In Jesus Name, 

Amen.  

Prayer suggestions that can help you get to know Him better:

Overeating

Smoking

Cursing

Lying

Pornography

Bitterness

Unbelief

Lust