Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-10

just anxious to make the liberal
soul fat. One of the wonders of the
Christian life is that it begins with
receiving an infinite gift and yet
it will take all of eternity to unfold
it. All the fullness Of Christ is
mine today, but it must be my ex-
perience to incorporate it into my
nature and work out in my life
from day to day. Paul wanted Phil
emon to keep on sharing his mate.
rial gifts SO that he could increasing
ly partake of and know by expe-
rience the fullness of Christ. There
is still much land for YOU and me
to possess; shall we possess it, or
shall we limit it by not sharing
what we have freely with others?
Now see how tactful Paul was. He
has commended Philemon for his
evidence Of love to all the saints;
so he says. Now to the point; 1
could command you, but L won't. |
just beg you to take back Onesimus'
and receive him as q brother. T
ask it for four reasons: 1. For loves
sake. 2, for the sake of old man
Paul twas he joking about his age
with Philemon, who could not have
been much younger0; and 3, be-
cause Onesimus is my spiritual son;
born while L was in prison; and, 4,
because he is now what his name
means-profitabl to you and to me.
He was N. G., but now he is
o. K.
1t was a great deal easier for
Philemon to love all the saints than
to love one saint when that one
n ell
and run away from him. But Paul
believed he was big enough to do it.
Are you?
Paul wrote that he wanted to keep
Onesimus so that he could help him
as Philemon's representative; but he
would not do that without Phile-
mons consent, because he would
not impose on his friendship that
much-he would like willing serv-
ice, but did not need any that had
to be of necessity.
He suggests that perhaps Onesi-
mus departed-notice that he does
not use the rougher, palmer lang
uage because he did not want to
keep open the old sore that grace
had healed. How we might initiate
him here. Don't you know peo-
pie who just delight in dragging up
the ugly past Of somebody who is
going straight now, even though
God has buried that part in the
depths of the ocean?
Perhaps Onesimus departed, Paul
writes, for a night in order that he
might never be parted from you
again forever. How little would
life be worth living if it were not
the vestibule Of a life beyond. That
little word forever" transforms the
whole of living. If it were not for
what is to follow and to abide unto
the ages Of the ages, life would not
justify the struggles, the disappoint-
ments, the discouragements, the
fights. But We can endure any,
thing now for little season because
it is just fitting us for something
far better for an eternity.
Then Paul Identifies himself
with Onesimus. If you count me
as a partner he writes, then re-
ceive him just as if he were 1 my
self. If he owes you anything, just
charge it to me. 1 will pay it Cbut
remember when you are making out
the bill that you owe me everything
you are). What delightful little
bit of humor 1t makes you love
Paul more to see how he can crack
a joke with his friend. OF course,
he vas in earnest about being will
ing to pay Onesimus' debt, but he
let him do it.
Then he expresses confidence in
Philemon's doing all that he asks
and more. He closes with the re-
quest that Philemon keep room
l.; 7, 1on
| able to some to see him soon him
self; and then adds personal greet
| ings from his companions; and prays
| for the greatest blessing that can
come to any mantle grace Of the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Gods Onesimi
1t is a wonderful little letter, for
it is characterized by the love of
Christ. Love toward the Lord Jesus
expresses itself in love toward the
saints: Love beseeches rather than
commands. Love changed Onesimus
from q worthless runaway slave to
a worthy helper of Paul and accord
| ing to tradition, to the bishop of
| Colosse. Love is very tactful. Love
enables relationships. Love identi-
fies itself with the needy and help
less ones. Love covers up, forgives
the ugly past. Love expects more
! than it asks, because it is love and
| love gives more than is required.
Love asks only for willing service.
| And love hopes for reunion.
Luther, in commenting upon this
| letter says, 1--WE are all Gods One
SINH, if we believe" All! how true.
What one of us is there who was
not a slave to sin, detected, hopeless,
bound, with no future; worthless;
run away from God-until the love
of God in Christ loosed us from our
bondage, gave us hope, changed our
| whole lives that we might become
profitable through His indwelling
| Spirit. Our gracious Lord Jesus
| might command us, but He simply
beseeches us; He might conscript
us, but He only asks for volunteers;
He wants willing service, and to
please Him is the highest obedience.
He Identifies Himself with us. He
has paid all our debts. He expects
of us more than He asks. And He
oh, the wonder of it-hopes for
| a reunion. He is looking forward to
| the time when He shall come back
and receive His bride.
Can you not picture the reunion
when Philemon read this letter and
| saw Onesimus and what change
had come over him? Well, that is
but faint idea of what it will be
when Gods Onesimi are reunited
with our glorious Master, the COM
ing King. God haste the day!