Philemon 3 " Grace to you, and peace, from GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST. "
" Grace to you and peace . . . " (v.3) - these realities are true for all who are in CHRIST JESUS. Everyone, as a sinner by birth as well as by deed, deserves justice before an all-Holy GOD; and, that justice means abiding under the wrath of GOD in this life (John 3:36) and spending eternity in the Lake of Fire in the life to come (Revelation 20:11-15). But GOD shed HIS grace upon mankind, providing him, through JESUS CHRIST, with the opportunity to receive by faith the forgiveness of sin and the peace with GOD that can only come about through hearing and receiving the Gospel. The wonderful blessing of GOD's peace is through HIS unfathomable grace !
As Paul imprints these eternal truths upon the mind of Philemon, the Apostle is priming this man's heart to reflect that same unconditional grace and calming peace toward his offending servant who was now standing before him, probably in trembling anticipation, with this epistle in hand. According to Roman law and custom, Onesimus was worthy of "justice" in the form of torture and possibly, as was often the case in this slavery-based economy, a barbaric execution. He was in dire need of grace - and peace ! Paul was preparing the heart of Philemon to do the FATHER's will.
Such grace is " from GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST " (v.3b). Paul stresses that the FATHER has reconciled to HIMSELF, through JESUS CHRIST, all who have believed the Gospel (2nd.Corinthians 5:17-21). GOD has provided a way for "bond and free" to become one in CHRIST (1st.Corinthians 12:13). If you read on in the book of Philemon, you will see that Philemon must act toward his guilty slave in a way that was totally foreign to the demands of Roman culture. The Apostle Paul, showing by what he wrote in verse 21, " Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say "; that he was sure Philemon would do the right thing and even more. DWC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
A true and faithful witness in His Word of truth!
ReplyDeleteAnd an ever present and dear Brother to encourage and keep this old sinner woman, saved by HIS marvelous and unmerited grace, on the straight and narrow. May we always enjoy and praise HIS gift of HIMSELF for our Salvation no matter the season !
DeleteA NATURAL LINKAGE:
DeleteFor if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
AMEN, Richard
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