Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's Word with you, so let's get started.

Welcome back. Today we will cover an entire letter in one sitting. Of course, that letter is Philemon, and it's just this one chapter.

In the letter to Philemon, Paul writes on behalf of Onisimus, a runaway slave who has become a believer while Paul is in prison.

Paul appeals to Philemon, not as an apostle demanding obedience, but as a brother in Christ urging love.

He asks Philemon to receive Onissimus back, not merely as a slave, but as a beloved brother.

Paul offers to repay any debt onissimus owes, reminding Philemon of the spiritual debt that he owes Paul.

The letter models Christian forgiveness, reconciliation,

and the transforming power of the gospel in relationships. Paul expresses confidence that

Philemon will do even more than he asks, showing trust in his character and receiving

encouragement from his actions. The letter ends with greetings from fellow believers and a blessing of grace to Philemon.

This is a great book. It's so short and it just represents Paul appealing to Philemon to receive back this runaway slave

and demonstrate what grace can do.

Philemon challenges us to see people through the lens of the gospel. We are not defined by our

past roles, failures, or status. In Christ, we are family. We are called to forgive as we have been

forgiven. Reconciliation is not always easy, but it reflects the heart of God. We are reminded that

love must lead our decisions even when justice feels complicated.

Paul models how to advocate with grace and humility. We are invited to do the same to stand in the

gap for others, to restore relationships, and to live out the unity we claim to believe.

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