February 02, 2026
Hi Friends, it’s Jen Auer. Pastor Mary has graciously extended the opportunity for me to write our devotions through Tuesday, February 17, 2026, after which time she will pick back up and begin a Lenten devotional series.
As many of you know, I am back in college at SEU, and part of my studies this week required me to spend some quiet time each day with the Lord. When I say quiet, I mean absolutely no noise or movement so that the Spirit could clear my soul, my mind, will, and emotions, so I could be fully present with the Lord. During my time with the Lord, I kept placing my heart before Him in gratitude for the freedom I now have in Christ. It truly is a miracle that as believers our sins are forgiven by our faith in Christ Jesus, and we are now reconciled with God, our Creator. Every believer is a new creation through their freedom in Christ. This freedom allows us to live in oneness with God as we welcome the guidance of the Holy Spirit to direct us on the path that God has for us. His plan is the highest and best for each one of us.
Through these devotions, I will follow the lectionary, and I will seek for the Holy Spirit to connect us to our Biblical brothers and sisters as we look at their freedom in Christ. We must remember, we are all offered the same freedom in Christ, and when we accept that freedom, we are offered the same Holy Spirit to guide and direct our path. Keep in mind, we are either accepting and welcoming God’s guidance and direction, or we are rejecting it.
Let’s begin with Philemon. We are looking at the entire book of Philemon today, as it is the third shortest book in the Bible with only 1 chapter that contains 335 words. The Apostle Paul is writing to Philemon from prison. Philemon lived in Colossae; he was wealthy and he owned Christian slaves. Onesimus was a slave of Philemon who had escaped and ended up in prison with Paul. We see how Paul wants to send Onesimus back to Philemon upon his releasee, only this time Paul is directing Philmon, by the Holy Spirit, to forgive Onesimus for escaping, and to welcome him back now as a beloved brother in Christ.
We can find ourselves in the position of each of these three men. Like Paul, the freedom we have in Christ directs us to help others see Christ within their lives and within the lives of others. Like Onesimus, the freedom we have in Christ changes who we once were, and we seek for others to accept and welcome that change. Like Philmon, the freedom we have in Christ guides us to choose forgiveness over selfishness, and reconciliation with our brothers and sisters over social pressures. The freedom in Christ within these Biblical brothers, and within ourselves, guides us to sacrificially love and directs us to seek forgiveness that restores relationships. Grab a hold of your precious freedom in Christ today and seek to share it with others.
Philemon (NLT)
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.
I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, 2 and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.
3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer
4 I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, 5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. 6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. 7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus
8 That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. 9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.
10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. 11 Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. 12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.
13 I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. 14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. 15 It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. 16 He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I WILL REPAY IT. AND I WON’T MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL!
20 Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.
21 I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! 22 One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.
Paul’s Final Greetings
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. 24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.
25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the freedom You offer each one of us who call on Your Name. Thank You for opening our spiritual hearts to the Truth that we witness through Paul, Onesimus, and Philmon. May their examples of faith guide us to love more like You, to forgive more like You, and to seek to restore relationships more like You, Jesus. May our lives today, reflect the freedom You have so graciously offered to us, Jesus, so others may be drawn to You. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.