HE WAS PRODUCTIVE IN THE PRISON

Philemon 1:10 NET
I am appealing to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become during my imprisonment, that is, Onesimus.

Dear Believer,

In the passage above, Paul is speaking to Philemon about a runaway servant named Onesimus. The servant had somehow come in contact with Paul, who was in prison at the time. Paul reconciled the master and the servant saying he was sending the young man back, ‘not as a slave but as a brother.’ (Philemon 16). The Apostle even offered to pay any damages that Philemon might want to claim.

The biggest point to me, in this story, is this: though Paul was in prison, he was still profitable in the work of God. He had no complaints.

He was still giving birth to spiritual children in prison. To me, that is impressive.

It wasn’t his first time in jail, the difference at this time was that he was elderly. He had become Paul the aged. (Philemon 9). So being old didn’t stop him from being spiritually productive.

In his younger days, Paul was once locked up with his partner Silas in a dungeon, their feet in stocks. Although they couldn’t move, they prayed, they sang and worshipped God. God sent an earthquake that set them free and this led to the salvation of the head prison official and his whole household. (Acts 16:25:26).

The important thing is, he kept being productive in his time of trial. God didn’t send an earthquake this time in Rome, but that didn’t discourage Paul. He continued being productive.

Believer, you are enjoined to “Preach the word, be ready whether it is convenient or not…” (2 Timothy 4:2)

God has made it clear in His word that we must experience persecution and other forms of difficulty as we work to obey Him and advance the gospel.

And what is in this for us?

It doesn’t all end here. There is great reward. We may not understand why we have to go through some things. Maybe Paul sometimes wondered why he had to end up in prison. But he knew for sure that he had a reward that was eternal. After the short time he spent on Earth, he knew he would enter into the joy of his Lord.

Believer, be profitable to God in whatever circumstances you are in. There is reward for faithfulness. Challenges don’t drain the power of God. Be encouraged.

Nothing ends in doom and gloom for the Believer. Our Lord determines how it will all play out. He will appear…

1Petet 5:4 KJV
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Keep on bearing fruits!

And have a great day.

Your friend,
Deon.