AWAKE BIBLE IN A YEAR DECEMBER 12
Read Philemon 1, Colossians 1-4
Repair and reconcile relationships, ya know, imitate Paul as he imitates Christ. Hint, hint I’m going there. (I Cor 11:1-2) Forgiveness is hard and humbling work. I am putting my hand to it as well. So challenging! These two epistles show a wonderful, behind the scenes story. Philemon and Onesimus are not ‘all good in the hood.’ Paul’s world isn’t either as Philemon and Colossians are called, Prison literature. Paul is working towards a restorative effort where breaches are valid. Philemon is written in AD 57–62 by Paul while, yup you guessed it, in PRISON. His freedoms restricted and he has already had a pronouncement by a king of his innocence, and Paul digs deeper into the mire of humanity to heal others, while suffering himself. 2 Timothy 2:9 says it plain, we suffer and endure all these things for the sake of those whom God is calling, so that they too may receive the salvation of Jesus Christ. Don’t miss the tact and delicacy of Paul in the letter.
OH LORD, this leads me to self examine. Has my life made room? Has my heart suffered wrong and sought reconciliation?
These two books Philemon and Colossians are tied by two men, Paul and Onesimus, first in Philemon his debts are charged to Paul (Philemon 1:18) and in Colossians 4:7–9, Onesimus is called “a faithful and beloved brother”: All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
Lord I am attempting to soften. Is there a connection between comfort and forgiveness? Help me to go a little lower, to find the manger, when by rights, I feel otherwise. This way of forgiveness and Paul’s work in it, gives me pause. SELAH. Isaiah 43:25 and Psalm 32:1 remind me I am blessed and forgiven and should go and do likewise. Luke 10:37 NKJV And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
