Philemon‬ ‭1:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.”

‭‭Philemon‬ ‭1:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Paul wrote a letter to the Philemon church leader in Colossae with regards to Onesimus, a runaway slave who used to serve Philemon.

Onesimus, who once was a runaway and was unfaithful to his master, ended up in Paul’s presence.

Paul had brought him to know Jesus Christ, nurtured him, and mentored Onesimus to be a man of reputation. Paul was willing to put his reputation on the line for Onesimus to be accepted as Philemon accepted Paul.

This shows that when people would give themselves to be mentored and trained under godly leaders, their lives can be turned around to greatness.

Onesimus served Paul in the prison and he had learned more in that place, in a short time, than in his entire life previously.

The way to grow stronger and be better is to be teachable and to give ourselves to be taught.

To be teachable is great but to give ourselves to be taught is greater.

This is because we discipline ourselves and give permission for someone to correct, reproof, edify and encourage us in the things of God.

This is equal to submitting ourselves to be an athlete, or a soldier, to be trained and equipped for the task.

Onesimus became a profitable man that will refresh others as Paul was his mentor.

No matter what our past may look like, if we can give ourselves to be trained, mentored, and be equipped, all things will change for good.

Let us give ourselves diligently to be equipped by the word of God, the Holy Spirit, and God’s appointed man and woman of God.

Blessings

Ps Ambrose