Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 293
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286 LIFE OF PAUL . hearingof thy loveand faith,which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward allsaints; thatthecommunicationofthy faithmay become effectualby the acknowledgingof every good thingwhich isin you in ChristJesus." The apostlesoughtgentlyto remind Philemonthat everygoodpurposeand traitof characterwhich he possessedmust be accreditedto the grace of Christ; for thisalone caused him to differfrom theperverseand sinful. The same gracecould make the debased criminal a child of God and a usefullaborerin thegospel. Though Paul might withauthorityhaveurged upon Philemonhisdutyas a Christian,yetbecause of hislovefor him he would not command , but choseratherthe language of entreaty: "As Paul theaged,and now alsoa prisonerof Jesus Christ, I beseechtheefor my son Onesimus, whom I have begottenin my bonds, which in timepastwas to theeunprofitable,but now profitableto theeand tome . He requestsPhilemon to receivehim as his own child. He saysthatitwas hisdesiretoretainOnesimus, thathe might actthesame part inministeringtohim inhis bondsas Philemon would have done . But he did not desirehisservicesunlessPhilemonshouldvoluntarilysethim free; forit might be in the providenceof God that Onesimus had lefthis master for a season in so impropera manner,that,being converted,he might on his returnbe forgivenand received with such affectionthat he would choose to dwell with him ever after," not now as a servant, but above a servant,a brotherbeloved." The apostleadded : " If thou count me thereforea partner, receivehim as myself. If he