Fasting Reminder

Good morning all,  I was complaining about the cold here until I saw news from the North East.  Praise God for Savannah’s weather.  Tonight in our Bible study we are going to talk about a fellow named Onesimus (which means profitable or useful).  In that study, we will look at things like loyalty, slavery, reparations, forgiveness,  and Christian brotherhood.  All of this in a little one-page letter that Paul wrote from Rome where he was on house arrest.  Unlike his normal letters to the churches, this one was written to a close friend and brother in Colosse.  The friend’s name was Philemon hence the name of the book in the Bible.  In those days there were around 60 million slaves in the Roman empire and they were always afraid of an uprising so they made some very strict laws concerning slaves and their owners. I checked just for comparison and found that in 1850 the US had a little over 3 million.  For a slave to escape from his owner was punishable up to and including crucifixion. Well, Onesimus took off on over a thousand-mile journey on foot to Rome with the clothes on his back and maybe a little money he stole from his owner.  Once there, we know not how but he met Paul who led him to Christ.  Paul’s letter was masterful, to say the least.  Scholars tell us it might have led to the abolition of slavery later on.  But Paul, in his wisdom and remarkable writing makes an appeal for the life of the slave.  Paul even says he will stand good for anything Onesimus owes Philemon.  Great story and one that should remind us of our Christian position in today’s climate.  Paul was seeking mercy over justice, forgiveness over rights, brotherly love over reparations.  Everyone is invited to join us if you can at 7:00 tonight for the study.  We also will have communion as is our custom on 1st Tuesdays.

God Bless You and let us all join in prayer for our nation and our brothers in the northeast tomorrow as we fast together.

L.I.F.E. Ministries

114 Wynngate Rd.

Wilmington Island, GA 31410

www.lifeminsav.com

Facebook – LIFE Ministries, Inc.

Jim Bulluck…..PLEASE NOTE: EMAIL CHANGE TO: [email protected]

912-695-6510 office

912-695-6510 cell

imitatio Christi