Philemon 1:20
20 Yea [nai], brother [adelphos], let [oninemi] me [ego] have joy [oninemi] of thee [sou] in [en] the Lord [kurios]: refresh [anapauo] my [mou] bowels [splagchnon] in [en] the Lord [kurios]. KJV-Interlinear
20 Yes, brother, let me benefit
from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. NASB
Paul uses a little play
on words here.The word for joy, oninemi,
comes from the same root as the name for Onesimus. Whereas Onesimus once meant useless and came
to mean useful, so too, then when one gains usefulness from life,
that translates into joy and happiness.
This result depends on
the actions of Philemon.
The request has been
submitted by Paul, and it remains for Philemon to agree and grant the request.
Paul has evidently been
quite taken by Onesimus.Quite possibly
his personality, his attitude, his complete change of character as indicated by
the meaning of his name, have all reflected quite a phenomenal change in Onesimus
due to his response to Pauls teaching.
So much so, that this
result has had a tremendous impact on Pauls feelings with regard to these
events.
Now a quick lesson in
spiritual principles.
When every person
complies with Gods mandates, then everyone wins. The synergy of the thoughts and actions of
obedient believers multiplies the blessings exponentially.
History has given us
several examples of this.
When the angels were
first created, there was phenomenal harmony and happiness. The universe was created perfect. Something that we as humanity have no record
of, nor have we been able to see it for ourselves. Disobedience came along and that ruined it
for everyone.The universe is huge, by
the way.
Adam and Eve were
created, and in obedience they had the Garden of Eden, a perfect paradise. Again, only Adam and Eve saw this perfect
paradise.Neither you, nor I, nor anyone
else in human history have seen it. Disobedience came along and ruined it
all.
Back in David s day, freedom
and prosperity came along with his military victories against the enemies of Israel. Solomon enjoyed a period of peace and
phenomenal prosperity.Solomon was wealthy
beyond imagination. Disobedience came along and that
generation, and the generations to follow, lost their wealth, their prosperity,
and eventually their freedom.
At the Second Advent,
Christ will defeat evil, and launch a period of 1000 years of peace and
prosperity for the Millennium.But
again, disobedience will enter into the human race and a great rebellion will erupt
at the end of the Millennium. The
universe will be destroyed.
At the end of human
history, which is at the end of the Millennium, this universe will be destroyed
and a new universe will be created for believers. This phenomenal peace and prosperity, etc., will
continue on forever, because there will be no further disobedience toward God
and truth.
Oh, do I dare mention
our current economic problems?And the
reasons for them?Is there any
indication as to which direction prosperity or disaster might take? Hummm!
Suffice to say, the key
to history is Jesus Christ and mans attitude toward Him. Jesus Christ is the living word. The Word is truth, and pursuit of truth leads
to blessings.Disregard of truth leads
to disaster.
And, by the way, truth
is not something that you can arbitrarily define yourself. God is the source of truth and truth has well
defined principles that guide it.
Truth protects the
rights of the individual and promotes freedom, prosperity, happiness, etc.
Lies seek to remove
these things.
When believers comply
with Gods mandates, which are the principles of truth, then they win.
When believers
disregard Gods mandates, then they lose.
What part of that is
not clear and understandable?
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