My wife has been a distributor for the largest Supplemental Health Care producs for years now and we have never promoted its sevices. I have decided to add the FORMOR INTERNATIONAL link on the left side of my blog so that we can attempt to create a supplemental income to make it easier to travel. If you already use Health aids in your everyday life, we would appreciae you taking a look at the ones offered by Formor.
It is a Multiple Level Marketing Plan, however, that is not our purpose. We use the products and thought it would be good to make the offer to others. This link will remain on the blog but will not be brought to your attention again as it is not our purpose to bug our readers for suport. It is a product that will do as it says it will do and because we use it we can attest to its claims.
Just click on the Formor Logo and take a look at the products. Everything they offer comes with a money-back offer so give it a try and if you do, please let us know as we do not follow the progress of our account.
Thanks and God Bless,
Dave
Crazy Papa
I'll make 'um an offer
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The Epistle Of Paul To Philemon-Part V
A Free Man: continued from yesterday
Verses 15-20
For perhaps he was for this reason parted from you for a while, that you should have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. But if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account; I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (lest I should mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ."
Someone said once "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" (anyway I think that is how it goes)! So what we read about in Philemon is a slave, a runaway slave, that seems to have taken with him, something that didn't belong to him and landed square in the middle of Paul's path. I would suggest that this was an "equal and opposite reaction" to the actions of Onesimus. When I run (from God), I usually run right into Him. When I want to hide my face from the Father for fear or shame, it seems that His face is all that I can see. I'm sure Onesimus thought "so who's Paul? I've got the masters bag of gold, why should I worry about Paul?
But in verse 16 we read that Paul is thinking "no longer a slave...but a beloved brother". The swift feet of the slave come face to face with the "God given love of the Apostle", and the flesh is introduced to the "light of the world".
So Paul says to his friend Philemon, if you still think of me as a friend (partner in ministry), if we still connect with this mission in life, if you share with me the love of the Lord then I would like for you to look at this "new man" as you would look at me. Look at John 15:15 where Jesus says, "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you." We have all been made aware of the "secrets of eternal life"! We are not slaves but free men.
Paul goes on to promise to repay any lose that Philemon has suffered at the hands of this now, brother in Christ. He says, "just charge it to my account"! Reminds me of the precious words of Christ while hanging on that tree; "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Lu. 23:34)! And of course, Paul does not fail to make Philemon aware of the cost of this request (lest I should mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).
"Let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ." Help me (Paul) to be reminded that we are children of the King and that we love one another. Help my heart to see Christ in you. Every time I do something wrong and others are involved, it seems like a little voice says to me "are others seeing Christ in you"? Well, do others see Christ in you? Would you say to a store owner, "charge the pants and shirt he stole to my account"!
On pages 64 & 65 of one of my favorite inspirational books, "Six Hours One Friday" by Max Lucado, there is a story surrounding the four million Jews who died in Auschwitz in World War II. A man named Gajowniczek was next to die when Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan priest stepped forward and demanded to speak to the commander. "That no one shot him was a miracle". So Kolbe requested to be killed in place of this poor victim, Gajowniczek. The commander simply replied, "request granted"! Strange how far a man in love with Christ will go for his friend. A very good book by the way, and I highly recommend it. How this relates to Paul's request, I'm not sure right now other than that story is the one God led me to while writing about Onesimus.
I wonder how far I am willing to go for my brother or sister in Christ. Am I willing to give them the shirt off my back? Can I find a way to pay their rent? Will I share my LAST can of soup with someone who has betrayed me? Paul said, whatever he owe, I will pay it back, just "refresh my heart in Christ" by loving this brother as I do.
TO BE CONTINUED
Dave
Verses 15-20
For perhaps he was for this reason parted from you for a while, that you should have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. But if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account; I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (lest I should mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ."
Someone said once "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" (anyway I think that is how it goes)! So what we read about in Philemon is a slave, a runaway slave, that seems to have taken with him, something that didn't belong to him and landed square in the middle of Paul's path. I would suggest that this was an "equal and opposite reaction" to the actions of Onesimus. When I run (from God), I usually run right into Him. When I want to hide my face from the Father for fear or shame, it seems that His face is all that I can see. I'm sure Onesimus thought "so who's Paul? I've got the masters bag of gold, why should I worry about Paul?
But in verse 16 we read that Paul is thinking "no longer a slave...but a beloved brother". The swift feet of the slave come face to face with the "God given love of the Apostle", and the flesh is introduced to the "light of the world".
So Paul says to his friend Philemon, if you still think of me as a friend (partner in ministry), if we still connect with this mission in life, if you share with me the love of the Lord then I would like for you to look at this "new man" as you would look at me. Look at John 15:15 where Jesus says, "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you." We have all been made aware of the "secrets of eternal life"! We are not slaves but free men.
Paul goes on to promise to repay any lose that Philemon has suffered at the hands of this now, brother in Christ. He says, "just charge it to my account"! Reminds me of the precious words of Christ while hanging on that tree; "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Lu. 23:34)! And of course, Paul does not fail to make Philemon aware of the cost of this request (lest I should mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).
"Let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ." Help me (Paul) to be reminded that we are children of the King and that we love one another. Help my heart to see Christ in you. Every time I do something wrong and others are involved, it seems like a little voice says to me "are others seeing Christ in you"? Well, do others see Christ in you? Would you say to a store owner, "charge the pants and shirt he stole to my account"!
On pages 64 & 65 of one of my favorite inspirational books, "Six Hours One Friday" by Max Lucado, there is a story surrounding the four million Jews who died in Auschwitz in World War II. A man named Gajowniczek was next to die when Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan priest stepped forward and demanded to speak to the commander. "That no one shot him was a miracle". So Kolbe requested to be killed in place of this poor victim, Gajowniczek. The commander simply replied, "request granted"! Strange how far a man in love with Christ will go for his friend. A very good book by the way, and I highly recommend it. How this relates to Paul's request, I'm not sure right now other than that story is the one God led me to while writing about Onesimus.
I wonder how far I am willing to go for my brother or sister in Christ. Am I willing to give them the shirt off my back? Can I find a way to pay their rent? Will I share my LAST can of soup with someone who has betrayed me? Paul said, whatever he owe, I will pay it back, just "refresh my heart in Christ" by loving this brother as I do.
TO BE CONTINUED
Dave
Saturday, July 4, 2009
The Epistle Of Paul To Philemon-Part IV
Paul's plea for Onesimus: Continued from yesterday
Verses 10-14
"I appeal to you for my child, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, Onesimus, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. And I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, that in your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; but without your consent I did not want to do anything, that your goodness should not be as it were by compulsion, but of your own free will."
Now that Paul has all of the formalities and his "rights" out of the way, he begins to address the heart of his letter to Philemon which has to do with the runaway slave, Onesimus. Paul refers to him as his "child" and that is probably because Onesimus was saved under Paul's ministry and it is Paul who has been discipling him. Reminding Philemon that all of this has taken place while Paul remained imprisoned (in bonds).
So now we come to verse 11 which would, under most circumstances be just simply read and left alone, however, very ironic that the Apostle Paul would use the phrase "formerly useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me." You see, the name Onesimus literally means "beneficial,profitable, or useful." Here we see something that may forever be buried in the simple phrasing of a letter but Paul sent Onemisus (Useful,beneficial,profitable) back to Philemon carrying the epistle bearing the name of the master, that appears in the New Testament.
Paul comments that if he could, he would have just kept Onesimus as he was "useful" to Paul for the ministry but now, useful to Philemon as well. I suppose it is easy to see, from the relationship developed between Paul and Onesimus why Paul would suggest that he is "sending his very heart." Obviously, the "once slave, now free" was very helpful in his ministry to Paul in prison.
He shows complete respect for Philemon in verse 14 not wanting to act out of compulsion (a strong, usually irresistible impulse to perform an act, especially one that is irrational or contrary to one's will) but rather wanting Philemon to act on his own free will.
It appears to me that Paul has chosen his words carefully and written an appropriate letter informing Philemon of the changes in the life of his former slave and introduced him as his brother in Christ, wishing that he be treated in that manner.
Sometimes I find myself treating my brothers and sisters in Christ less than as I should. I (and all others) have more than once, taken advantage of a precious "child" in Christ Jesus and I am sure that those actions will be addressed at some point. Paul is "molding" the new character of Onesimus (Beneficial, Profitable & Useful) back into the church body, which is as it should be. Can we say we do the same with those who have fallen away or have lived lifestyles less than honorable in the sight of Christ. When they surrender and fall into the fold, how are the received by we who call ourselves "Christ-ians"?
TO BE CONTINUED
Dave
Verses 10-14
"I appeal to you for my child, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, Onesimus, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. And I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, that in your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; but without your consent I did not want to do anything, that your goodness should not be as it were by compulsion, but of your own free will."
Now that Paul has all of the formalities and his "rights" out of the way, he begins to address the heart of his letter to Philemon which has to do with the runaway slave, Onesimus. Paul refers to him as his "child" and that is probably because Onesimus was saved under Paul's ministry and it is Paul who has been discipling him. Reminding Philemon that all of this has taken place while Paul remained imprisoned (in bonds).
So now we come to verse 11 which would, under most circumstances be just simply read and left alone, however, very ironic that the Apostle Paul would use the phrase "formerly useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me." You see, the name Onesimus literally means "beneficial,profitable, or useful." Here we see something that may forever be buried in the simple phrasing of a letter but Paul sent Onemisus (Useful,beneficial,profitable) back to Philemon carrying the epistle bearing the name of the master, that appears in the New Testament.
Paul comments that if he could, he would have just kept Onesimus as he was "useful" to Paul for the ministry but now, useful to Philemon as well. I suppose it is easy to see, from the relationship developed between Paul and Onesimus why Paul would suggest that he is "sending his very heart." Obviously, the "once slave, now free" was very helpful in his ministry to Paul in prison.
He shows complete respect for Philemon in verse 14 not wanting to act out of compulsion (a strong, usually irresistible impulse to perform an act, especially one that is irrational or contrary to one's will) but rather wanting Philemon to act on his own free will.
It appears to me that Paul has chosen his words carefully and written an appropriate letter informing Philemon of the changes in the life of his former slave and introduced him as his brother in Christ, wishing that he be treated in that manner.
Sometimes I find myself treating my brothers and sisters in Christ less than as I should. I (and all others) have more than once, taken advantage of a precious "child" in Christ Jesus and I am sure that those actions will be addressed at some point. Paul is "molding" the new character of Onesimus (Beneficial, Profitable & Useful) back into the church body, which is as it should be. Can we say we do the same with those who have fallen away or have lived lifestyles less than honorable in the sight of Christ. When they surrender and fall into the fold, how are the received by we who call ourselves "Christ-ians"?
TO BE CONTINUED
Dave
Friday, July 3, 2009
The Epistle Of Paul To Philemon-Part III
Paul's "Status" Request: Continued from yesterday
Verses 8 & 9
"Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do that which is proper, yet for loves sake I rather appeal to you - since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus ---"
Paul is getting ready to "lay a big deal" on Philemon and so he finds it necessary to declare his status with Christ, not wanting to order Philemon to do as Paul wishes but rather appealing to his love for the brotherhood.
Remember back in another devotion that I said that when you see the word "Therefore" you should go back and see what it is there for? Well, here we are again. In yesterday's devotion, Paul made it known that he was praying very strongly and emotionally that the church at Colossae would become an "effective" church, growing in the "knowledge of every good thing...for Christ's sake". So because he has explained to Philemon these things he has "confidence in Christ" even if he must order this done by Philemon to do the right thing.
But of course, Paul reverts back to the love of the fellowship which compels him and others to act as Men of Christ in these issues. Do we find ourselves acting as "men and women of Christ" within the body? Paul refers to himself as "the aged" or an ambassador and now "a prisoner of Christ Jesus".
Before he even considers asking this favor, he declared his position which allows the request to be made. And we are also "prisoners of Christ Jesus" for His glory and our advancement in the kingdom of God. Do you consider yourself an ambassador for Christ? You should. Perhaps you don't fit the apostolic mold, but you are, without a doubt, an ambassador of Christ, able to call upon the fellowship of Christ for the advancement of the church. Galatians 3:26 says, "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." And then in verse 28 he says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." That pretty much establishes your authority in Christ, wouldn't you say?
So here Paul establishes his line of authority for making his request and tomorrow we will jump right into that request.
TO BE CONTINUED
Dave
Verses 8 & 9
"Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do that which is proper, yet for loves sake I rather appeal to you - since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus ---"
Paul is getting ready to "lay a big deal" on Philemon and so he finds it necessary to declare his status with Christ, not wanting to order Philemon to do as Paul wishes but rather appealing to his love for the brotherhood.
Remember back in another devotion that I said that when you see the word "Therefore" you should go back and see what it is there for? Well, here we are again. In yesterday's devotion, Paul made it known that he was praying very strongly and emotionally that the church at Colossae would become an "effective" church, growing in the "knowledge of every good thing...for Christ's sake". So because he has explained to Philemon these things he has "confidence in Christ" even if he must order this done by Philemon to do the right thing.
But of course, Paul reverts back to the love of the fellowship which compels him and others to act as Men of Christ in these issues. Do we find ourselves acting as "men and women of Christ" within the body? Paul refers to himself as "the aged" or an ambassador and now "a prisoner of Christ Jesus".
Before he even considers asking this favor, he declared his position which allows the request to be made. And we are also "prisoners of Christ Jesus" for His glory and our advancement in the kingdom of God. Do you consider yourself an ambassador for Christ? You should. Perhaps you don't fit the apostolic mold, but you are, without a doubt, an ambassador of Christ, able to call upon the fellowship of Christ for the advancement of the church. Galatians 3:26 says, "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." And then in verse 28 he says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." That pretty much establishes your authority in Christ, wouldn't you say?
So here Paul establishes his line of authority for making his request and tomorrow we will jump right into that request.
TO BE CONTINUED
Dave
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The Epistle Of Paul To Philemon-Part II
Philemon's Love and Faith - continued from yesterday:
Verses 4-7
"I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints; and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake. For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother."
The first thing that Paul affirms is that he is continually thanking God for fellow Christians like his brother Philemon. He is always lifting the brotherhood up to God as he knows that the strength of the church lay in the power of God. He has obviously been receiving reports from time to time on the progress of the church and he affirms the love and the faith shown by the leadership of the church and toward all the saints as well. Just a line or two in his letter to express his appreciation for the care that they are taking with the church body.
Paul lets Philemon know that the focus of his prayers are that the fellowship may become "effective" and not stale through the knowledge they are receiving as they learn from God and others. He reminds Philemon that it is for "Christ's sake" that this work is done. We see in Philippians 1:9 "...that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment..." and again in Colossians 1:9 he say, "For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding." So Paul really has some pretty powerful things that he is praying for the church under the leadership of Philemon. Paul wants the church to become "effective" in all "spiritual wisdom and understanding". I wonder how often it is that we pray that way for our churches today!
And Paul expresses the fullness of joy that he has as he is comforted in the work done by the saints within the church. In fact, Paul's joy is like that of having a "newborn child" and you could easily change the word "hearts" in verse 7 to "inward parts" because that is the depth with which Paul concerns himself with his communion with God over the church.
Do we today realize this depth of love and compassion for the church, the body of believers within our midst? Do we feel the joy of each expression of salvation that we see or is it becoming somewhat "routine" in our churches today? Paul refers to them as "saints" or "holy ones" in his letter. I see that as very emotionally involved in the everyday "goings on" within the church.
We can learn a valuable lesson from these few verses concerning our passion, not only toward the Lord, but our love and desire for the church and its body.
TO BE CONTINUED
Dave
Verses 4-7
"I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints; and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake. For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother."
The first thing that Paul affirms is that he is continually thanking God for fellow Christians like his brother Philemon. He is always lifting the brotherhood up to God as he knows that the strength of the church lay in the power of God. He has obviously been receiving reports from time to time on the progress of the church and he affirms the love and the faith shown by the leadership of the church and toward all the saints as well. Just a line or two in his letter to express his appreciation for the care that they are taking with the church body.
Paul lets Philemon know that the focus of his prayers are that the fellowship may become "effective" and not stale through the knowledge they are receiving as they learn from God and others. He reminds Philemon that it is for "Christ's sake" that this work is done. We see in Philippians 1:9 "...that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment..." and again in Colossians 1:9 he say, "For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding." So Paul really has some pretty powerful things that he is praying for the church under the leadership of Philemon. Paul wants the church to become "effective" in all "spiritual wisdom and understanding". I wonder how often it is that we pray that way for our churches today!
And Paul expresses the fullness of joy that he has as he is comforted in the work done by the saints within the church. In fact, Paul's joy is like that of having a "newborn child" and you could easily change the word "hearts" in verse 7 to "inward parts" because that is the depth with which Paul concerns himself with his communion with God over the church.
Do we today realize this depth of love and compassion for the church, the body of believers within our midst? Do we feel the joy of each expression of salvation that we see or is it becoming somewhat "routine" in our churches today? Paul refers to them as "saints" or "holy ones" in his letter. I see that as very emotionally involved in the everyday "goings on" within the church.
We can learn a valuable lesson from these few verses concerning our passion, not only toward the Lord, but our love and desire for the church and its body.
TO BE CONTINUED
Dave
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Treason and Tyranny in America
I'm one of Sean Hannity and Fox News Network's biggest fans and after watching the Mark Levin interview, I believe it is time to stop talking about poll numbers and start talking about the treason and tyranny that America is being subjected to by this administration.
"Still, tyranny is a threat that looms over all societies, preventable only by the active vigilance of the people. The Statist [Liberal] in America is no less resolute than his European counterpart but, by necessity, he is more cunning – where the European lurches and leaps, the American’s steps are measured but steady.”
Mark Levin (from Liberty and Tyranny)
Dave
"Still, tyranny is a threat that looms over all societies, preventable only by the active vigilance of the people. The Statist [Liberal] in America is no less resolute than his European counterpart but, by necessity, he is more cunning – where the European lurches and leaps, the American’s steps are measured but steady.”
Mark Levin (from Liberty and Tyranny)
Dave
The Epistle Of Paul To Philemon-Part I
Today I would like to try something different. I have always been an admirer of the book of Philemon in the New Testament so I want to try to break it down into "bite size" pieces to share over the next several days, sort of like an expository teaching only in a devotion. If I get lost or confusing, please feel free to let me know: (Email - papadave2@cox.net)
The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
Verses 1-3
"Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house; Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
This very small book of the New Testament is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to Philemon about a runaway slave by the name of Onesimus. The slave, Onesimus had been converted during his time with Paul and now it was time for Onesimus to be returned. Paul mentions Timothy here and that is important because Paul takes care to report the whereabouts of one of his fellow soldiers in the faith. Timothy was a young preacher that was being disciplined and groomed by Paul himself.
The introduction in this book is short, it is obvious that Paul and Philemon are friends from back when he assisted in starting the church, perhaps in Philemon's home, and he is polite in mentioning other leaders, Apphia being a Christian lady in the church at Colossae, and Archippus referred to as the "master of the horse" and a church worker at Colossae.
And then he concludes his introduction in this letter by offering "Grace & Peace" as always, from God the Father and never failing to mention the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul wants to settle an issue or two within the church, as he is always expressing his apostolic teaching within the scriptures. Notice that the church is mentioned within his introduction and also there were "looming" problems at the time of the early formation of the church, one being the "master-slave" relationship within the church as a whole. We know that Onesimus had "absconded" (depart in a sudden and secret manner, to avoid capture and legal prosecution), and Paul, by returning the once slave of Philemon, was instructing concerning the principles that govern relations between Christian brothers and also expressing "free will" in Onesimus' return.
And so Paul begins his letter to the leader of the church at Collosae. In Christ there is a new frame of reference that transforms all earthly relationships; brotherhood is the focus on which all other relationships must be evaluated. And so concludes Paul's "Salutation" to his brother in Christ, Philemon.
TO BE CONTINUED
Dave
The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
Verses 1-3
"Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house; Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
This very small book of the New Testament is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to Philemon about a runaway slave by the name of Onesimus. The slave, Onesimus had been converted during his time with Paul and now it was time for Onesimus to be returned. Paul mentions Timothy here and that is important because Paul takes care to report the whereabouts of one of his fellow soldiers in the faith. Timothy was a young preacher that was being disciplined and groomed by Paul himself.
The introduction in this book is short, it is obvious that Paul and Philemon are friends from back when he assisted in starting the church, perhaps in Philemon's home, and he is polite in mentioning other leaders, Apphia being a Christian lady in the church at Colossae, and Archippus referred to as the "master of the horse" and a church worker at Colossae.
And then he concludes his introduction in this letter by offering "Grace & Peace" as always, from God the Father and never failing to mention the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul wants to settle an issue or two within the church, as he is always expressing his apostolic teaching within the scriptures. Notice that the church is mentioned within his introduction and also there were "looming" problems at the time of the early formation of the church, one being the "master-slave" relationship within the church as a whole. We know that Onesimus had "absconded" (depart in a sudden and secret manner, to avoid capture and legal prosecution), and Paul, by returning the once slave of Philemon, was instructing concerning the principles that govern relations between Christian brothers and also expressing "free will" in Onesimus' return.
And so Paul begins his letter to the leader of the church at Collosae. In Christ there is a new frame of reference that transforms all earthly relationships; brotherhood is the focus on which all other relationships must be evaluated. And so concludes Paul's "Salutation" to his brother in Christ, Philemon.
TO BE CONTINUED
Dave
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