"For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave ut more than a slave – a beloved brother, especially to me but now much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord."
Philemon 15-16
God's purpose is that everyone be saved, and He goes to great lengths to accomplish that purpose. Onesimus no doubt had heard the Gospel message while he was a slave to Philemon, but for some reason, he did not accept it. He needed to hear it from another person before it penetrated his heart. In God's eternal purpose, Onesimus fled to Rome – hundreds of miles away – where he met Paul, a prisoner, and he heard the message again. This time, he responded to God's call and was saved. What seemed like a negative – his running away – became a positive in God's plan. Sometimes when we hear God's message from those with whom we are close, it does not sink in. (Some people even have to go to jail to receive the Gospel.) So God puts us in contact with someone else so we will hear the message in another context. And on the other hand, God puts people into our paths who need to hear His message in a new way. Either way, it is God's purpose in action to draw people to Himself.
Today's Thought: God works His purpose – even through negative things – to accomplish His plan in our lives.
Have a purposeful day. Love you.
Philemon 15-16
God's purpose is that everyone be saved, and He goes to great lengths to accomplish that purpose. Onesimus no doubt had heard the Gospel message while he was a slave to Philemon, but for some reason, he did not accept it. He needed to hear it from another person before it penetrated his heart. In God's eternal purpose, Onesimus fled to Rome – hundreds of miles away – where he met Paul, a prisoner, and he heard the message again. This time, he responded to God's call and was saved. What seemed like a negative – his running away – became a positive in God's plan. Sometimes when we hear God's message from those with whom we are close, it does not sink in. (Some people even have to go to jail to receive the Gospel.) So God puts us in contact with someone else so we will hear the message in another context. And on the other hand, God puts people into our paths who need to hear His message in a new way. Either way, it is God's purpose in action to draw people to Himself.
Today's Thought: God works His purpose – even through negative things – to accomplish His plan in our lives.
Have a purposeful day. Love you.
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