Introduction: Are you bitter? What has happened? We all go thru experiences that can make us resentful. The key is how we respond to it. In our devotion today there are several individuals that play a part in the inspired Word of God.

1. Philemon! (Philemon 1:5-7)

“1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house.”

Paul’s commendation is to Philemon.

“5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.”

Evidently, Philemon was an encourager. Are you?

2. Onesimus! (Philemon 1:10-16)

“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?”

Onesimus messed up! He had done Philemon wrong. Paul was a mediator between the two. Have you done wrong?

3. Paul! (Philemon 1:17-21)

“17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.”

Paul was urging Philemon to forgive and make the wrong right. Meanwhile, he counseled Onesimus to confess his sins and make restitution with Philemon. Will you be a go between?