December 10 - Philemon 1:1-25 | Philippians 1:1-2:11

Good morning everyone,

The book of Philemon, while included in the “Prison Letters” Paul wrote while under arrest in Rome, is different from the others. This letter was not written to instruct a church or encourage pastors and probably was never intended to be read publicly much less be included in the Bible for generations to glean from. This letter was written to a personal friend, Philemon, a prosperous Christian, a member of the church in Colossae, perhaps Paul had even converted him while there teaching. This letter was written on behalf of a friend, someone Philemon knew, Onesimus.

Onesimus had been a slave to Philemon. He ran away but not only that he had stolen some money when from Philemon when he left. Onesimus ended up in Rome, where he met Paul and became a Christian. Paul sent him back to his Philemon, his master, with this letter asking that he forgive Onesimus, accept him back and charge Paul with all Onesimus’ debt. Wow!

Think for a moment of how Philemon must have felt. He had been betrayed, he was  “the injured party.” Right? Paul doesn’t question that, he promises Philemon he will get his money back. Paul simply expects Philemon do the right thing as a Christian, accept Onesimus back and forgive him. 

Then there’s Onesimus. Why was he so desperate to steal and run in the first place knowing how severe the punishment was for those acts of defiance? We are not told. But after he meets Paul in Rome, he gives his heart to Christ and needs to make amends for his past mistakes. So humbly he returns to his master. 

Paul reminds Philemon that we all have done wrong things. But God has saved us from punishment. He has accepted us into his family. God had accepted Philemon, therefore Paul says that Philemon must accept Onesimus. Sounds easy enough, right? Did Philemon forgive Onesimus? Did he receive him back into his fellowship? The Bible doesn't say. But it begs the question; Would we today be reading this very private letter if Philemon had failed to respond by doing the Christian thing? 

You know, we have all sinned. Every day we do something God would rather we did not do. No one is perfect therefore we should not be so haughty and forgive other people when they repent. This may not always be easy for us. There may be a cost to us because of it. Sometimes the cost is not money, it could cost you in other things. Swallowing pride comes to mind. But, God (I love that phrase,”but God”) paid the price for us when he sent Jesus to shed blood and die for us. He said, “No problem Father, thy will be done.” So it is because of this that we should find it in our hearts forgive other people. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all ….