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As we continue to study the timeless words of the apostle Paul in Romans, the profound message of rescue, redemption, and restoration comes alive. Paul also embodied the last words of Jesus to the disciples “…and you will be my witnesses….”
Men and women of the Bible can serve as our mentors and guides as we learn to be effective witnesses.

Read or listen to Philemon.

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother:

To Philemon our dear friend and coworker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ. For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right, I appeal to you, instead, on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an elderly man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus, appeal to you for my son, Onesimus. I became his father while I was in chains. Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. I am sending him back to you—I am sending my very own heart. I wanted to keep him with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place. But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will. For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would me. And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention to you that you owe me even your very self. Yes, brother, may I benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. Meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, since I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

What is Paul asking Philemon to do with Onesimus? On what grounds?

The written Scripture is CSB, however, the audio Scripture is ESV.

FOCUS:

Read the blog below. What does it teach about being a witness?

Witness and the Unity of the Church

By Dakotah Mote

The Church and Family … Witness?

Being part of the body of Christ can oftentimes feel like being part of a family. The local church and family, fundamental pillars of society, are manifestations of shared faith, principles, and values. Their essence transcends physical gatherings or structures to collectively echo Christian beliefs. Unity, a thread across diverse individuals, enhances their functionality, while disunity threatens their progress and health. Unity or lack of unity significantly impacts their credibility, societal influence, and inherent strength.

Think of the church as a body, as Apostle Paul does in his letter to the Corinthians. Each part, each member, contributes to its well-being. The church thrives on unity, reflecting Christian love and interdependence, and reinforcing the message of reconciliation and peace. This unity transforms into a living testament to Jesus’ teachings, reaffirming his prayer for unity among his followers.

A family, too, thrives on unity. Unified in purpose, a family radiates love, trust, and mutual growth, providing a positive influence. This unity mirrors divine reconciliation, inspiring others through its testimony.

Witness…Unity and Disunity

Unity, in both church and family, amplifies their impact in numerous ways. It creates a supportive community that personifies Christ’s love, becoming a living testament to the gospel’s transformative power. Furthermore, unity within the church leads to a more powerful witness, increased growth, improved community impact, effective discipleship, efficient conflict resolution, and mutual encouragement. It is a powerful testament to God’s love for humanity.

However, disunity gives rise to considerable hurdles. It can cause dysfunction within families and foster relationship tension, projecting a negative influence onto others. Similarly, in the local church, disunity chips away at its integrity, shaking its message of peace and love to its core. The ripple effects of disunity within the church manifests in detrimental ways, including a weakened witness to the world, stagnated growth, diminished influence within the community, ineffective mentorship of disciples, heightened conflict, an absence of mutual support among members, and an incongruent message about who Jesus is, what he did, and why he did it.

Witness…Reconciliation of Christ

The antidote to disunity, as Romans 5:6-11 depicts, is reconciliation. God, in his boundless love, reconciled humanity to himself through his Son’s sacrifice, setting a model for us to follow. This act of reconciliation entails humility, forgiveness, and unwavering commitment to love.

In a family, reconciliation heals wounds, mends relationships, and restores unity. Similarly, in the church, it provides a pathway out of discord, encouraging forgiveness, fostering unity, and restoring the church’s witness. Christ’s sacrifice symbolizes a miraculous reconciliation, the reparation of a shattered covenant, and underscores God’s purpose in shaping his people to bear his glory.

Reconciliation is more than resolving conflicts; it is a transformative process that realigns our hearts to God’s love and grace, inspiring us to reflect his love, and mercy, and positively contribute to the world.

By embracing reconciliation, the church can strengthen its unity, revitalizing credibility as a societal beacon of hope, love, and transformation. Reconciliation is the embodiment of what Christ did for us, which embodies the very essence of the gospel in our communities.

PRAY:

Lord, cleanse my heart of resentment and bitterness, and help me be reconciled with my siblings in Christ from every nation, tribe, tongue, and socioeconomic status.