Throughout the last few verses of the book of Philemon, we have been studying the manner in which Paul the apostle intercedes on the behalf of Onesimus. Although Onesimus was in error when he ran away from Philemon and stole from him, Onesimus was returning to Philemon's home, and now Philemon was being asked to receive him once again. Today we look at another reason Paul gives to Philemon about Onesimus' return in verse fifteen of this amazing book. He wrote:
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should receive him for ever;
Paul wrote “For” or because, or maybe the reason was...and follows it with something to which we all would do well to pay close attention “perhaps he therefore departed for a season”. The key words here are “for a season”, or a little time, a short venue . Sometimes parents know the pain of a child who seems to have gone away for a season. There seems to be a disconnect in conversations. There may be a separation in words or actions, and sometimes a parent may want to ask, “Who is this person, and who stole my child?” Unfortunately, some people have experienced what it is like for a person they love to be incarcerated, and there seems to be no way this person will ever change. Paul's words to Philemon can be a great help in times like these.
Paul continues, “that you should receive him for ever.” This parting of Onesimus, this separation for a season could be that Onesimus will be with Philemon for ever. In other words, there may have had to been the separation for Onesimus to change. Sure the time for Onesimus to be away was painful. Of course the theft by Onesimus must have been hard, but now Onesimus is returning to Philemon a changed man. Sometimes people we love must endure difficult times in order to change. Onesimus received Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord when he ran away, and some people will only reach out to God when they are in great trouble. A relationship with the Heavenly Father changes everything within a person's life. There is a new outlook, a new way of thinking, new actions and new behavior when the Savior comes in. This new behavior usually changes the relationship between other people as well. Parents have their children like never before. Loved ones exhibit appreciation and love at greater levels, and those whom we care so deeply about are forever changed. And all this occurs because they “departed for a season.”
We must keep in mind that those we love so dearly even though they may have departed from us for a while, will never be able to go beyond the grasp of God. He knows where they are. He knows what they're saying, thinking and doing at all times, and He knows exactly what it takes to draw them into a relationship with Him. As one old country preacher used to say it, “Don't you worry about that child of yours out there. God's got a trap set for him or her somewhere.” God was watching Onesimus, and God saved Onesimus, not only for his sake, but also for Philemon's sake as well.
Next time we will look at the new relationship that is a result of Onesimus coming to know Jesus as his Savior, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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