INTRODUCTION

Life is full of suffering that occurs for various reasons. Yet, the Christian is admonished never to suffer as a result of his wrongdoing. Christians frequently suffer wrongfully and should never be ashamed for suffering for the name of Christ. Yet every Christian is admonished not to suffer “as a thief” (1 Peter 4:15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
See All...). When a man puts his faith in the finished work of Christ, he becomes a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
See All...) and should live differently. The Bible says, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
See All...). This means that a saved man, although previously a thief, should labour so that he may have to give to others rather than taking from them. Only the power of the gospel can take a thief and make him a generous person. What an amazing witness to the transformation of the gospel!

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Part of suffering is bearing shame when we do wrong. This includes theft (Romans 6:21What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
  See All...). There is no shame in suffering for Christ (1 Peter 4:16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
  See All...). Paul did not want to be ashamed in anything (Philippians 1:20
  See All...). God expects us to work for what we get.
• (For everyone): It is thought that Onesimus stole from Philemon (Philemon 1:11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
  See All..., 18-19). Did Paul expect things to be different when Onesimus returned to Philemon (Philemon 1:15-16 [15] For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; [16] Not 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?
  See All...)?
• It is thought that Onesimus stole from Philemon (Philemon 1:11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
  See All..., 18-19). Did Paul expect things to be different when Onesimus returned to Philemon (Philemon 1:15-16 [15] For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; [16] Not 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?
  See All...)?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to give you a heart to labour and give.
• Thank God for the transformation of salvation.

HYMN

AMAZING GRACE!

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