DCLM Daily Manna 17 October 2022
KEY VERSE: Philemon 1:10,11 – “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me.” .
TEXT: Philemon 1:10-19 (KJV)
10. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds;
11. Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me;
12. Whom I have sent again; thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels;
13. Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel;
14. But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
16. Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17. If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
19. I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it; albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
Thomas Hobbes, an Economist and modern founder of social contract tradition believed that in man’s natural state, moral ideas do not exist. So, the end justifies the means. According to him, “life is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” This rightly describes the attitude of the unsaved, who is often morally bankrupt and spiritually depraved; hence, unprofitable.
Onesimus, initially an unconverted slave ran away from his master, Philemon, possibly dispossessing him of some precious goods. However, fate led him to Rome where he came into contact with Apostle Paul and was converted to Christ under his ministration. As a new creature in Christ, Paul found him very valuable in the gospel ministry. However, he could not keep him, knowing he had some restitutions to make to Philemon, his former owner. Paul then sent him back to his master with a letter assuring him of his usefulness, spiritually and relationally. He also pleaded that Onesimus should be received not as a slave but a beloved brother with love, kindness and forgiveness.
In the sight of God, conversion makes us equal, providing common access through grace. The transforming power of grace in the penitent is immeasurable. Sincere repentance towards God and faith in Christ’s atoning death at Calvary will save the sinner. No wonder the Bible says, “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Grace is accessible to all by faith, irrespective of social standing. Discovering one’s real place and purpose in God’s programme begins at conversion.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: We are regenerated to generate good works.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelation 12-14
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Made Useful – by Pastor W.F Kumuyi
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Daily Manna 17 October 2022
