Just A Simple Little Letter. Or Maybe Not.

I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. Philemon v.12

So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. Philemon v.17-18

Just a Simple Little Letter?

I have been a Christian for decades and until last year I had never really paid attention to the book of Philemon in the bible. I guess I just figured it was really only about a specific incident in the life of Paul and had no bearing on my life today. Ha! I should have known better.

Every part of the word of God is inspired by Him and useful for us! (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Book of Philemon

As I come back to book of Philemon, I am astounded at how much depth and relevance it has for my life today. I heartily recommend reading the whole thing – it won’t even take five minutes. (Philemon)

Dealing with a specific issue

At the time that Paul wrote the letter to his Christian friend Philemon (the letter became this very short book in the bible), something specific had happened. Onesimus was Philemon’s slave. He had stolen something from his master and run away, according to bible scholars.

How did Onesimus get noticed by Paul?

Paul was imprisoned when he meets the runaway slave and teaches Onesimus about Jesus. Onesimus becomes a Christian. Then Paul writes this letter to Philemon to send with Onesimus when he goes back to face the master he wronged.

Integrity and Relationships

This short letter is packed with lessons on integrity and relationships, but I am currently captivated with how Paul really goes to bat for Onesimus.

In a time when race and economic divisions seem to be erupting into violence all across our country, I think we can all learn a lesson from Paul in how to treat people.

Personal Race Relations

Onesimus is obviously not on the same economic level as Paul. He was a slave, while Paul was educated and a Roman citizen with all its rights and privileges.

Yet Paul befriends Onesimus. He leads this criminal slave to Christ and grows so close to him that he calls Onesimus his “very heart.”

God is Love

Paul knows that God is love and wants to follow God’s example.

Love looks at the person rather than the status.

Love looks beyond sinful actions to help rather than condemn.

But love does not dismiss sin as okay.

Doing what is right

Paul knows that the right course of action is to send Onesimus back to the person that he wronged. Back to his master, Philemon. Back to face the consequences of his actions.

Here’s the really cool part.

Paul doesn’t send Onesimus back alone. He sends this amazing letter. In addition to pleading for mercy for Onesimus from Philemon, Paul says to charge all of debts owed to Philemon by Onesimus to himself.

His Own Identity

He gives Onesimus his own identity. He says the redeemed slave is to be treated as Philemon would treat Paul himself.

Not unlike what Jesus did for all of us, right?

Jesus paid the price

Jesus paid the price for all our debts of sin.
Our acceptance of His sacrifice causes our identity to shift. We are no longer defined as slaves to sin, but now we are sons of God instead. We get the identity of Jesus and He pays our debts.

How do I know that?

But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:25-29 (ESV)

Judge and Jury

Sometimes we decide that our job as followers of Christ is to be judge and jury, but being Christlike is demonstrated in the actions of Paul toward Onesimus.

Paul doesn’t ignore the debts owed, but pays them himself, advocates on behalf of Onesimus, and gives him his own identity with all its rights and privileges.

With All its Rights and Privileges

Jesus doesn’t ignore our sin and its costs, but pays them himself, advocates on behalf of each of us, and gives us his own identity with all its rights and privileges.

How do I treat people that are not the same as me?

Action Step:

Today, let’s choose to be more like Paul. More like Jesus. By the way we treat the people we come into contact with let’s demonstrate Jesus rather than just telling them about Him.

Prayer:

God, help me to see the people you created rather than their race, economic status, or even actions. Open my eyes to really see who they are, and even more important, who they can be. Enable me to bring credit to the identity Christ has paid so dearly for me to have – His very own identity. In Jesus’ name, and because of His great gift to me, amen.