Paid in Full

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon.    

And if he has done you any wrong in any way or owes anything [to you], charge that to my account. Philemon 1:18 (AMP)

Paul was telling Philemon, "I will pay Onesimus' debt IN FULL." Why would Paul be willing to do that? 

Reason 1: Because that is what God did for him (us). There can never be a way for us to pay for our sin. We are born sinners. And sinners cannot enter the presence of a Holy God. Yet, God in His gracious mercy, provided a way for ALL our Sin to be forgiven. Jesus Christ died in our place, and EACH and EVERY sin was placed upon Him.  (For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJ)

Reason 2: Because Onesimus was now a fellow Christian and was helping Paul in a great way. Onesimus knew that he needed to return to Philemon, and set things right. Paul saw Onesimus' heart of submission and willingness to do the right and godly thing.

Reason 3: Paul, didn't want there to be any reason for Philemon not to accept Onesimus back. Paul wanted Onesimus to begin with a clean slate. No past debt, rather a new beginning. 

When my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), I then begin to fully understand what Jesus Christ did for me on the cross. Having my debt paid in full should make me forever grateful to God and I should be willing to do all I can for Him. "Should" — sadly, I fall short on both those accounts. However, God in His love, provides grace and mercy on a continual basis—for that I am very thankful! 

Debt is paid in full. That provides freedom to live, not randomly, but rather with a sincere and godly purpose—because my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence and apparition for God. 

Civic & Christian

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon.   

Perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated [from you] for a while, that you might have him back as yours forever, Not as a slave any longer but as [something] more than a slave, as a brother [Christian], especially dear to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh [as a servant] and in the Lord [as a fellow believer]. If then you consider me a partner and a comrade in fellowship, welcome and receive him as you would [welcome and receive] me.
Philemon 1:15-17 (AMP)

Civic & Christian

Onesimus left Philemon. That was wrong. However, while gone, Onesimus was then introduced to Jesus Christ through the ministry of Paul. And from all accounts, was a changed man. 

Each of us have a Civic responsibility, for we live in this world. But we also have a Christian responsibility and the two cannot be separated. 

We are to work hard, take care of property, and live in accordance with the laws (that do not go against God's standards). If we agree to work for someone for a particular amount of money, then we need to do our job to the very best of our ability. We do not complain about not getting more money, nor do we "call in sick" simply because we don't feel like working. Responsibility is to fulfill your duties based on your word, not how you happen to feel. Remember we are working for God, and He has very high standards. 

Civic & Christian

Friendship is a wonderful gift. With friends we laugh, cry, grow, and create many memories. Friendship based on mutual faith in Jesus Christ takes that friendship to a deep level. We now have the wonderful bond of knowing Jesus Christ who died so that we can have eternal life. That bond goes beyond any earthly bond. 

Civic & Christian responsibilities are only fulfilled to the highest standard when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG).

Want vs Right

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon.   

I would have chosen to keep him with me, in order that he might minister to my needs in your stead during my imprisonment for the Gospel’s sake.

But it has been my wish to do nothing about it without first consulting you and getting your consent, in order that your benevolence might not seem to be the result of compulsion or of pressure but might be voluntary [on your part]. Philemon 1:13, 14 (AMP)

What I want vs what I know is right. 

In today's society it's all about what I WANT, rather than what is the right or moral thing to do. We want instant gratification and what feels good at this particular moment. We don't care about consequences or how it may effect others. We only care about ourselves in the here and now. 

Paul could have chosen not to write a letter to Philemon about Onesimus. However, Paul knew that Onesimus returning to Philemon was the right and honest, and more importantly the Christ-like thing to do. 

How often do I do want, what feels good, rather than what I know to be the right thing? How often do I consider the consequences or long-term effects of my actions? 

It's not about what feels good, what I want, or what serves my purpose right now. It's all about—or suppose to be about—doing what is the good, honest and Christ-like thing—doing the RIGHT thing. 

If my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then I'll know what is the right thing, the Christ-like thing to do in each and every circumstance. 

My Very Heart

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon.   

I am sending him back to you in his own person, [and it is like sending] my very heart. Philemon 1:12 (AMP)

"My very heart"

As I read this verse, I took a moment to think about what would make Onesimus, a servant who was unprofitable to one, become so dear to Paul. 

First and foremost, Onesimus trusted in Christ after he left Philemon. So now Onesimus was a changed man. As a believer in Christ, Onesimus' actions reflected his new relationship with Christ. 

Secondly, I think that Onesimus was learning and growing under Paul's teaching. For learning how to "put on" the godly characteristics from Colossians 3, Onesimus then was reflecting Christ in his actions and attitude. 

And lastly, Onesimus had become and encourager and blessing to Paul. 

"My very heart"

A relationship based on the bond of Jesus Christ between two Christians. That is second only to a personal relationship to Christ. 

First and foremost, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), so that my relationship with Christ can have an impact in my relationship with others—so that the bond is deep—"my very heart". 

The "A" List

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon.  

Once he was unprofitable to you, but now he is indeed profitable to you as well as to me. Philemon 1:11 (AMP)

Onesimus, the name means "profit, to help". Yet, at one point, Onesimus was unprofitable, useless. Actions to have consequences and can change a reputation very quickly. We aren't sure exactly what Onesimus did, but one thing we do know is that he was NOT where he belonged, in Colossea working for Philemon. 

Unprofitable. Think for a moment, of having that label. Unprofitable.

What makes one, "unprofitable"?

What makes one "profitable"?

The "A" List: An attitude, an action, amount of effort, attention to details, attentiveness to the task at hand, applying aptitude, and the aftereffect. 

Something changed in Onesimus from the time he left Philemon and the time Paul is writing. And that change, had an impact in Onesimus' life and it was evident. That change was the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Christians SHOULD act and work differently and it should be a substantial difference—as we are not just working for employers, rather we are working for God Almighty! 

If my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then the "A" list: my attitude, actions, amount of effort, attention to details, attentiveness to the task at hand, applying aptitude, and the aftereffect—should all be a reflection of God and His highest standards.