COLOSSIANS 4:9

“and with him is Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your own. They will inform you about the whole situation here.”

Sometimes people move away and then return years, maybe even decades, later. I know when I go home to visit my family in South Georgia, I may see someone I haven’t seen in a long time. Most of them I recognize, but some are almost unrecognizable. While I remain eternally youthful, they have aged badly. Lol. Seriously, people change when they move away.

Onesimus was no different. We know Onesimus from Paul’s letter to Philemon, his owner. We know from that book that Onesimus had run away and had perhaps stolen something from Philemon. Now Paul is sending him back home with a letter for the church. I am pretty sure he delivered that letter to Philemon at the same time. He is a changed man. He is now a believer.

APPLICATION

Paul had paired Onesimus up with Tychicus (whom we discussed the last two days) knowing that Tychicus could guide him well and speak on his behalf to Philemon and the church. Even though Onesimus had probably left on bad terms, he was now returning as a “faithful and beloved brother” of Paul. That in itself should have spoken loudly to his owner and the church. If Paul trusted him, they could too.

Whom has harmed you in the past, only to return to make things right later? What did you do? Did you forgive them? Did you listen to their story of how they had changed? Take another look at the book of Philemon and put yourself in his sandals. How would you have reacted?

As Christians, we must always look at what God has done in a person’s life and evaluate from God’s perspective. In today’s verse, it is obvious that Paul had placed a lot of trust in Onesimus. Now he was placing a lot of trust in Philemon and the Colossian church to receive him back with open arms as a brother in Christ.

When people see you after years apart, are they amazed at what God has done in your life? Are you a shining example of God’s grace and mercy? Our goal should always be to encourage others in their walk and live a life that reflects His glory. Let us all strive to be like Onesimus, faithful and beloved.

Lord, You have done such wonderful works in all of our lives. Thank You.