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- Oct 26, 2007
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- 11,539
I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn't been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. Philemon 1:10-12
Philemon was a slave owner, and Onesimus was his slave. Onesimus thought he was being mistreated. Philemon thought the slave was unteachable. Trust had been broken.
Onesimus fled and sought sanctuary with the apostle Paul. The two spoke often and, in time, the heart of the slave softened toward Philemon, so Paul told Onesimus to return to his master. He sent a letter to Philemon asking him to accept Onesimus. Paul said Onesimus had become family to him.
This story requests faith in the faithless and is a reminder that a merciful God wants His people to show mercy.
While the only One worthy of trust is God, He asks that you seek to be trusted and find reason to trust others. The cost of refusing to trust is cynicism, paranoia, and isolation. When trust is broken, you need to extend forgiveness and encourage restoration.
Prayer: Lord, help me to believe You can restore trust in people who have been untrustworthy. There are times I have broken trust, so may I be willing to encourage the restoration of trust in others.
Philemon was a slave owner, and Onesimus was his slave. Onesimus thought he was being mistreated. Philemon thought the slave was unteachable. Trust had been broken.
Onesimus fled and sought sanctuary with the apostle Paul. The two spoke often and, in time, the heart of the slave softened toward Philemon, so Paul told Onesimus to return to his master. He sent a letter to Philemon asking him to accept Onesimus. Paul said Onesimus had become family to him.
This story requests faith in the faithless and is a reminder that a merciful God wants His people to show mercy.
While the only One worthy of trust is God, He asks that you seek to be trusted and find reason to trust others. The cost of refusing to trust is cynicism, paranoia, and isolation. When trust is broken, you need to extend forgiveness and encourage restoration.
Prayer: Lord, help me to believe You can restore trust in people who have been untrustworthy. There are times I have broken trust, so may I be willing to encourage the restoration of trust in others.
