Paul left Titus on the island of Crete to help strengthen the churches. Titus’s job was to ordain elders, and to help instruct the believers on how they must live blameless lives. Titus was to promote the kind of living that reflected wholesome teaching, and was pleasing to the Lord. He reminded them that they were to submit to the government and it’s officers, and that they should always be obedient. He reminded them that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good.
Philemon was a Christian in Colosse, and he had a slave named Onesimus who ran away and ended up in Rome. While he was there, he heard the gospel from Paul, and he became a Christian. The reason that Paul wrote this letter was to encourage Philemon to take Onesimus back. He didn’t want him to take him back only as a slave, but as a brother in the Lord. This is such a beautiful picture and reminder that no one, not even a runaway slave is beyond the work of our God! Onesimus would now be useful to both Philemon, and to the ministry! Anyone who puts their trust in Jesus will become a new person! Thank You, Jesus!!!
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