“With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you…” – Colossians 4:9
Onesimus, newly converted, was sent as Paul’s messenger back to his hometown of Colossi. I can only imagine how afraid he must’ve been. Remember, Onesimus had run away from Philemon and expected to never return. But after he trusted Christ, Paul thought it necessary for Onesimus to be reconciled to the Colossians.
The final words of the verse above are so important: “who is one of you…”
The Colossians knew Onesimus and what he had done. They saw him as an outcast, but their perspective needed to change. Onesimus was a brother in Christ now, and that changed everything. He was no longer to be a runaway but a family member welcomed home in spite of his past.
There are new believers who don’t feel welcome at our churches and homes. They believe their actions have disqualified them from the family of God, and many Christians have treated them poorly because of their past. It’s important for you and me to understand the truth: no matter their mistakes, everyone can have a place at the table of God.
How are you living around those who have messed up? By the way, none of us deserve to be a part of God’s family. But we have received grace, and we as Christians are supposed to show grace to others as well. Is there someone you know who needs to be welcomed home? Be the first person to tell them: “God loves you, and so do I.”