Edd Sterchi Via Bulletin Gold
Nestled in the little New Testament book of Philemon
is a wonderful jewel of example and instruction.
First, let’s look at a little background. A Christian in
Colossae by the name of Philemon owned a slave that
had run away from him. Ending up in Rome, the slave,
Onesimus, had become converted to Christ by the great
apostle Paul (v.10). Paul wrote to his friend Philemon
encouraging him to now take Onesimus back.
And now the jewel. Paul writes to Philemon of
Onesimus that he was once was unprofitable to you,
but now is profitable to you and to me” (v.11). The
jewel is learned when we understand what the name
“Onesimus “means. In the Greek it literally means
“profitable” or “useful.” If I may paraphrase Paul, he
was saying, “Onesimus is now living up to his name.”
Onesimus had become a Christian and was now useful
to God and to the church.
Christian, are you living up to your name? The word
“Christian” literally means belongs to Christ.” In
everything that you do, every decision you make, every
word that you speak, and every place that you are seen,
are you living up to that holy name that bears the
identity of Christ? Do you show the dark world the light
of Christ in your conduct, character, and conversation?
The reputation we gain calls attention to the name we
profess.
Do all know that you belong to Jesus Christ?
.A good name is to be chosen rather than riches”
(Pro. 22:1)
• And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus..” (Col. 3:17)
. “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be
ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”
(1 Pet. 4:16)
•”Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you
are called?” (Jas.2:7)
Groveland, FL