The Runaway Slave

Rev Ken Elliott takes a look at the little book of Philemon, and points out the following things about the runaway slave,Onesimus:

1. THE DERILICTION HE MANIFESTED

v 11 '....Which in time past was to thee unprofitable...'

v 15 '...departed for a season...'

v 18 '....If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought....'

Onesimus was an unsavoury character, and he was on the run.

As you read these words, are you on the run ......from God ?

2. THE TRANSFORMATION HE UNDWERWENT

Thank God for the transformation which His Grace brings about ! What a message this Gospel is !

We see concerning this transformation:

i)How It Was Evident

(a) The RELATIONSHIP Paul had with him - (v 10 'my son')
(b) The REQUEST Paul made for him
(c) The REGARD Paul had for him

ii) How It Was Experienced

'...whom I have begotten in my bonds...'

Paul had obviously come into contact with this man and brought before him the message of salvation.

3. THE COMMENDATION HE ENJOYED

'Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me...' v 11

Surely Onesimus could have sung, had the words been written:

'What a wonderful change in my life hath been wrought,
Since Jesus came into my heart.' !

He was once unprofitable, but now he was profitable - not only to Paul but to Philemon.

That`s what the Lord Jesus does - He changes lives !

He can change yours too - just come NOW to Him by repentance and faith !