Philemon 1:10-11. I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
Paul wrote this letter to his old friend and disciple Philemon on behalf of Onesimus (whose name means “useful”), a runaway slave who had once been far from living up to his name. While in a Roman prison, Onesimus encountered Paul, heard the gospel, and became a follower of Christ. Now a changed man, he made the decision to return to his master and make things right. In his letter, Paul pleads with Philemon to receive Onesimus not as a slave, but as a beloved brother in Christ—assuring him that Onesimus is now truly “useful.”
Like Onesimus, we were all once useless—living under the dominion of sin and the power of the devil. But God, in His mercy, made us useful again. Through Jesus Christ, we have been given a new life, a new identity, new freedom, a new purpose, a new hope, and a new future.
Every time we worship and pray, the Triune God—through the Word, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit—works powerfully in us. When we believe in this spiritual reality, we will see the Word fulfilled in our lives, the curse of sin and death broken, and the power of the Holy Spirit equipping us to stand firm as Christ’s witnesses in our mission fields.
So remember: when you are in Christ, you are useful to the kingdom of God. Do not allow your past—however broken, shameful, or wasted it may seem—to define you. No matter how far you have fallen like Onesimus, God can lift you up with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
No matter how shattered your life may be, the Word of God can heal and restore you. No matter how uncertain your future looks, God can lead you into a future filled with hope and purpose.
The gospel you have received is complete, sufficient, and eternal (Psalm 23:1–6). Therefore, fix your eyes not on your circumstances, but on God’s unchanging covenant. Don’t let anything steal the peace of God that transcends all understanding. God will soon crush Satan under your feet (Romans 16:20).
Just as God sent Jesus as the Christ to reconcile you to Himself, He is now sending you to bring others back to Him. To fulfill this calling, God has entrusted you with the message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19). Paul wrote a letter of reconciliation on behalf of Onesimus. Today, you are writing the message of reconciliation with your life and your words.
Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). The way we treat others—especially those who are lost, broken, or overlooked—matters deeply to God. So go. Share the message of reconciliation with those still living as enemies of God. Let the gospel turn their hearts back to Him. Help make their lives useful again.
Prayer. Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to make me useful again. Turn my heart toward those in need of Your grace. May the gospel I share lead others to reconciliation and new life in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.