God's Grace

Paul tells Philemon about his present condition while he was writing this short epistle in prison (Col 4:13). He didn’t tell him that he was a prisoner of the Romans, but he saw himself as “a prisoner of Jesus Christ!” Most criminals are incarcerated and have restrictions because they violated the law of the land (Rom 13:2). Sadly, many today are also prisoners of their own bad choices (Prov 14:12), such as alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling, and pornography. Others are prisoners of their unforgiveness (Mk 11:25), which often leads to bitterness (Acts 8:23). Some become prisoners of circumstances like oppression in their marriage, family, work, or some health issues that they can’t change.

David felt imprisoned by his own insecurity (Ps 142:7), while he was running away from king Saul. But the Lord gave him comfort and peace (Ps 23:4). Paul in our passage was in prison “for Christ’s sake” (2 Cor 12:10). He was willing to be restrained for the cause of Jesus (Eph 3:14), and was even productive in sharing the gospel (Php 1:12). As God’s children (Jn 1:12), we need to humbly submit to His will (Jms 4:7). Just like Paul, we can also become a prisoner of Jesus by accepting any “afflictions” (Ps 119:71), as coming from Him instead of our own choices. We need to fully trust Him (Prov 3:5), for the strength to get us through (Php 4:13).

Because “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God” (Rom 8:28)! As Christ’s prisoner, He shall give us the grace (Rom 5:20), to obtain a forgiving character (Eph 4:32), since He has already forgiven us! Philemon was a “dearly beloved” of Paul and others who had the same fellowship in Christ (1 Tim 6:2). The kind of love that Paul showed Philemon would enable him to also forgive Onesimus (v. 18). Sometimes it would take an appeal from someone who exemplifies the love of Christ, to encourage us to forgive others! God bless you!



-Pastor Melito Barrera