03/12/2017

TRANSFORMING UNPROFITABLE SLAVES TO PROFITABLE SAINTS

Philemon 10-19,22,23; Colossians 1:7; 4:12,13; Philemon 24; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy
4:10; Philemon 24,21

The life of Onesimus reveals much of the transforming power of the grace of God and
redemption in Christ. Before his conversion, he was undependable, unprofitable and a
runaway slave who had stolen from his master, Philemon. But after his conversion, he
became a dependable and trustworthy believer who had the privilege of labouring in the
gospel with Apostle Paul. Grace transformed him from being a guilty thief to a righteous
son who was ready to do restitution. Paul the apostle surrounded himself with other
transformed people who were profitable to the Lord and the brethren. Epaphras was
faithful in ministry and fervent in the Spirit. Marcus was formally a failure who became a
favourite in ministry. Those who failed in the past should not throw in the towel but make
effort towards improvement to become useful in the Kingdom. Aristarchus demonstrated
fearlessness of true friendship in ministry. Sadly, Demas, who once stood for Christ,
displayed faithlessness, fickleness, foolishness and folly, and fell in ministry. We must
never allow dull, weak, lukewarm and lethargic persons around us. Like Luke, we should
be focussed and firm in ministry. Paul the apostle had confidence in Philemon’s obedience
to his requests, especially to receive back the transformed and now profitable Onesimus.
As believers, at all times, we should be obedient to the word of God and remain fervent,
faithful, fruitful and firm to the end.

1. THE REPENTANCE AND CONVERSION OF DISLOYAL ONESIMUS

Philemon 10,11; Acts 17:30; Romans 6:21,22; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 2:12-19;
5:3-8; Philemon 10; 1 Corinthians 4:15; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 5:18

A truly converted believer who has left the old life of sin is always marked by a
turnaround for the new life of righteousness. Regardless of the past years of living in sin
and ignorance of Christ, grace, the gospel and His demands, God commands “all men
every where to repent”. When Onesimus met with Paul the apostle, and was confronted
with the demands of the gospel and the evidence of the grace of God, he surrendered to the
Lord. And “being made free from sin, [he became a servant] to God, [and had] fruit unto
holiness”. Realisation of one’s sinful state and the eternal consequence of a life of sin lead
to confession and repentance, which marks the point of conversion in the life of a sinner.
This produces a change of mind and attitude, with resolute decision to follow the Lord.
Sinners who are yet to be saved should repent immediately because without salvation, they
have no hope of eternal life. A change happened in the life of Onesimus after his
conversion. He became born again and a new creature in Christ; old things passed away
and all things became new for him. When a sinner meets the Lord and is reconciled to Him,
his new life in Christ is visible to people around him. The guilt, punishment and
condemnation that are taken away give him hope of getting to heaven if he dies in the Lord
or the rapture takes place. Believers who have benefitted from the grace of God that brings
salvation to all men must ensure they stay away from sin. “We know that whosoever is
born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that
wicked one toucheth him not”.
2. THE RECONCILIATION AND COMMITMENT TO DEMANDED OBEDIENCE
Philemon 12,15,16,20,18,19; Genesis 20:1-10,14; Ezekiel 33:14-16; Luke 19:8-10;
Matthew 5:22-24; Acts 24:16; Philemon 21; Romans 6:17; Philippians 2:12; 1 Peter 1:14-
16,22; 4:17,18

God requires obedience from all believers. Obedience is the central evidence that we
are saved. However, there are people who are obedient in things that are not commanded
such as tradition, suggestions and customary observances in the community. Apostle Paul,
in his letter, pleaded with Philemon to forgive and “receive” Onesimus. Although God had
forgiven him, he had to be reconciled to his master. He was willing to return and make
restitution, but had nothing to pay back what he had stolen. Therefore, Apostle Paul
offered to pay on his behalf. Yet, he personally had to go back to confess, apologise and
submit to his offended master. Restitution is not the Law of Moses as some people think
and has not been cancelled. Restitution was required long before the Law of Moses when
Abimelech took Sarah, Abraham’s wife, unlawfully. God revealed to him through a dream
that he must make restitution. “Now therefore restore the man his wife… and thou
shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die. And
Abimelech… restored him Sarah his wife”. Restitution is still required today.

To maintain a living relationship with God and be right in His sight, we must make
restitution. God emphasises this doctrine. In making restitution, it is alright to do more
than is required. Abimelech and Zachaeus gave extra, but also restored what was
demanded. For our offerings and services to be acceptable to the Lord, we must ensure that
we resolve every pending grievance we have against others and “be reconciled” first before
we come to offer before the Lord. We must ensure that we “have always a conscience void
of offence toward God, and toward men”. We should keep our minds free of anything
that anyone will legally, logically, faithfully and truthfully say they have against us. When
we obey God’s demands and the indispensable truth of the Scriptures, which our leaders
preach, we bring joy to them.

3. THE REALISATION AND COMPREHENSION OF DIVINE OWNERSHIP

Philemon 1,2; Colossians 4:15; Romans 16:3-5; Philemon 22; 2 Kings 4:8-11; Job 31:32;
Philemon 10-13,20; Colossians 4:7-9; John 17:10; 1 Kings 20:4; 2 Samuel 24:24; Psalm
4:3; Isaiah 43:21; Romans 14:7,8; 1 Corinthians 6:19,20; 2 Corinthians 5:14,15; 8:5;
Revelation 4:11

Comprehension of divine ownership makes believers willing to surrender their

possessions for the worship of God. The believers of old gave wholeheartedly because they
knew everything they possessed belonged to the Lord. God owns our life, time, talent,
money, intelligence and properties. Therefore, the language of every true believer should be
“My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have”. Apostle Paul
realised that Philemon understood divine ownership; therefore, he asked him to prepare
him a place to lodge. When Philemon eventually read the letter, he received, forgave and
restored Onesimus. He also realised that Onesimus belonged to the Lord; therefore, he
released him for service. “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for
himself”. As believers, we should live for the Lord and give ourselves to Him without any
reservation. “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the
Lord, and unto us by the will of God”.

GHS: 249, 64, 247