More Than a Slave

 Scripture:

“He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.” ‭‭Philemon‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

Paul writes this letter to Philemon concerning Onesimus, his former slave. Onesimus had met Paul in prison and became a follower of Christ. As a follower of Jesus, Paul felt he needed to go home and reconcile with Philemon so Paul sent a letter with him told him, “He is no longer like a slave to you, He is more than a slave, for he is a brother.” Paul was telling him that his former slave had met Jesus and now was more than a slave, he was a brother. Old things are passed away and everything becomes new.

Application:

When people come to Christ, everything is made new. There are still ramifications for things done before Christ, but as a believer, we must see people as more than their former state. We must see a new creation. We must receive them as brothers. Paul understood this well because he had been accepted by the people he was trying to kill before his conversion. What we were before Christ, is not who we are after Christ. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to see people like You see them. Help me to never judge people by their past, but by their relationship with You. Teach me to see more than a slave when I see people in Christ. Help me to see the new man instead of the old. Thank you for loving me. Help me to love and defend others as well.

Forever Yours,

Jeff