Usefulness in God’s Kingdom Depends on a True Conversion
Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul – an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus – I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.” (Philemon 1:8-10)
Passage: John 6:25-40
God doesn’t have any grandchildren. He only has children. When Paul called Onesimus his “son”, he was referring to the order of relationship in that he had been the one who led Onesimus to faith in Christ. In that regard, he was a spiritual father to Onesimus, but in their relationship in God’s family, both Paul and Onesimus were brothers in Christ. The conversion of Onesimus was the starting point that enabled him to become useful in God’s Kingdom and in Philemon’s household business.
In John 15:5b, Jesus said, “apart from me you can do nothing.” Nothing refers to anything of eternal value. Only a believer can be useful in God’s Kingdom, because usefulness requires the work of the Holy Spirit within a person’s life. A person does not receive salvation through any religious work or merit. Conversion comes through simple child-like faith that believes in Jesus and confesses Him as Lord. (Romans 10:9) If you haven’t written out your testimony of when and how you became a believer, do that today or soon. Thank God for your conversion and the fact that it enables you to be useful for Him.
Passage: John 6:25-40
God doesn’t have any grandchildren. He only has children. When Paul called Onesimus his “son”, he was referring to the order of relationship in that he had been the one who led Onesimus to faith in Christ. In that regard, he was a spiritual father to Onesimus, but in their relationship in God’s family, both Paul and Onesimus were brothers in Christ. The conversion of Onesimus was the starting point that enabled him to become useful in God’s Kingdom and in Philemon’s household business.
In John 15:5b, Jesus said, “apart from me you can do nothing.” Nothing refers to anything of eternal value. Only a believer can be useful in God’s Kingdom, because usefulness requires the work of the Holy Spirit within a person’s life. A person does not receive salvation through any religious work or merit. Conversion comes through simple child-like faith that believes in Jesus and confesses Him as Lord. (Romans 10:9) If you haven’t written out your testimony of when and how you became a believer, do that today or soon. Thank God for your conversion and the fact that it enables you to be useful for Him.
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