June 18, 2009
Text: Philemon 1:8-16
Title: God Redeemed It
Thoughts:
“You own something that God has redeemed and desires to use in His Kingdom.”
I must admit, in my internet browser there are several open sites of baby names. Julie and I have begun the search for that perfect baby name that combines uniqueness and significance. Because names are more than cute titles. They have a prophetic significance. Thus, it was a common practice for a slave owner to name his servant a name of significance. A name that would have meaning and characterize their behavior and ethic.
Philemon was no different. He had appropriately given his servant the name “Onesimus“, which means “useful“. Unfortunately, Onesimus did not live up to his name. In fact, he was considered to be “useless” rather than “useful“.
That was until…until God redeemed him. In a period unknown to the reader, God had led Onesimus to Paul, who in turn led him to Jesus. The transformation was remarkable. Now, under the grace of God, Onesimus was truly bearing the significance of his name. God had redeemed him.
The Oxford Dictionary defines “redeemed“, in the theological sense, as “to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.” It is my belief that God redeems not only the believer but his/her entire life and possessions. While my car, house, or day planner will never make it to heaven, they certainly bear the marks of what Christ has done in me.
When we consider our “ownership“, as Philemon considered his ownership of Onesimus, we soon realize that God has redeemed our time, talents, and treasures. What was once “useless” to the Kingdom has now become “useful“. The step of faith and trust in Philemon’s case was that he had to accept the work of redemption. Likewise, I must accept the work of Christ’s redemption in my possessions just I accept it in my heart.
Application:
In what ways do your possessions bear the mark of Christ’s redemption?
What is one specific possession that was once “useless” to the Kingdom, but through Christ’s redemption has now become “useful”?
What is the area/possession you have the most difficulty releasing into the Kingdom?
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You so much for redeeming me. Once I was like Onesimus, useless to You and Your Kingdom. Now, however, I have been redeemed by Christ’s sacrifice. Now, not only am I useful to Your Kingdom, my possessions have been redeemed for Your Kingdom as well. Help me today to accept this total life redemption and yield everything to You for Your Kingdom.
In Jesus’ name. Amen
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