Philemon 1:12 & 17-25

Philemon 1:12 & 17-25 I am sending him — who is my very heart — back to you. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back — not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

I am sending him — who is my very heart — back to you. How it must have broken Paul's heart to send Onesimus back to Philemon. He didn't really know how Philemon would receive Onesimus, but he was praying that he would do the Christian thing. Can't you imagine the tears and sadness Paul had when he released Onesimus to journey back to Philemon? I am sure there was a groaning of the heart, words of endearment, and many tears. Paul was sending his son back to an uncertain future. But given the natural circumstances, Paul did the right thing: he sent a slave, a commodity, back to the household of his master. However, Paul used every leverage he could to ensure a positive future for Onesimus: welcome him as you would welcome me--charge it to me--I will pay it back--you owe me your very self--I may have some benefit from you--refresh my heart in Christ-- confident of your obedience--knowing that you will do even more than I ask. Nevertheless, as he sent his beloved friend back, he had to depend upon Philemon's walk with Christ, his understanding of brotherhood in Christ.

We also have to depend on each other's understanding of what it means to be brothers and sisters in Christ, to be Christians, to be members of the body of Christ. Many churches are broken apart by fleshly problems, by the carnal man's perspective, by the harsh words or actions of Christians. Many Christian communities are in disarray because of a failure of believers to love each other as Christ's loves us. Do we love each other as our very heart? We need to be careful of the flesh, the "old man." The flesh likes to dictate, to control, to express its own opinion readily, but it does not like to take orders, to be submissive, to be humble, to be quiet, to prefer others above itself. The flesh likes to stand out, to be magnified; it does not want to be background music, to be part of the scenery. The flesh tends to focus on the self and to be negative concerning others, and it highlights its own accomplishments. How marvelous we are to discern what is wrong with everyone and everything else, while ignoring our own failings. Positive people focus the attention on others, how beautiful and talented they are, how good things are, and how much they appreciate the work of their family and friends.

The Bible says that those who are disruptive, those with an antiChrist spirit, went out from amongst us so that they might be manifested. This is a spirit we sometimes find in ourselves? All of us can possess this spirit. I mentioned this before, but it is appropriate here. I once disagreed wholeheartedly with a new policy that was being implemented in a school where I was teaching. I was considered a confidant of the principal, but I was openly attacking this policy. One day he requested a meeting with me. In that meeting he told me that I was becoming overly negative, even disruptive. I thought for a few seconds and then said, "I am sorry. I have become too negative. I am not doing what I should do and that is to support you." By the way, that new policy was a failure. I was right, BUT I WAS WRONG. By being negative, I was not doing the right thing. I could have spoken my words and shared my opinions, but then I should have been a servant, for my job was not to administrate; my job was to implement.

We all have times of negativity, but as Christians we need to rein in that spirit and not let it control us. When a couple of our sons used to have trouble with their tempers, especially when arguing with their siblings, Jacqueline would say to them, "You need to pray and let Jesus help you control your temper. If you don't, it will control you." That is true with any of the deeds of the flesh. As children of God, we need to love each other in the church as brothers and sisters. We need to look out for the community of believers. We are his representatives here on Earth. We should display his robes of righteousness and not let careless acts of selfish disobedience get in the way of Christ's loving kindness and tender mercy. We need to allow the "old man" to die daily. When we see ourselves lifted up, we should be careful, for the flesh delights in that and feeds off fame and fortune. When others are in need of attention or encouragement, we should love as if the person is our very heart. Sometimes that is hard, for we might need love and care ourselves, but that is God's way--the way of the cross. If we listen and obey, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with our spirit(s), and we will rejoice with great joy. We will welcome our Onesimus, love him, restore him, and anyone who God sends our way.

Philemon 1:12-16

Philemon 1:12-16 I am sending him — who is my very heart — back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good — no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

Galatian 3:26-29 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one IN CHRIST JESUS. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

We are all found IN CHRIST if we believe Jesus Christ is our Lord. If we have faith in Christ's work on the cross, we are heirs to God's presence and to eternal life. In the above passage, we see Paul reminding Philemon of his and Onesimus' position IN CHRIST. They are no longer master and slave in God's kingdom, they are brothers in Christ. God sees them as brothers. In God's domain, there is no longer male nor female, privileged or not. (Lands and possessions were passed from father to son if possible in the Jewish community.) Believers are not seen as Jew or Greek, chosen or unchosen. (God chose Abraham and the Jewish people as his people.) If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. As a Christian, you are considered to be chosen, receiving Abraham's blessing, which is Jesus Christ. You are of Abraham's seed, not seeds, AS IN MANY, BUT YOU ARE OF HIS SEED, WHICH IS CHRIST JESUS. Abraham's seed, Jesus Christ, has come to bless the world and to bring salvation to all who put their trust in him.

Paul reminds Philemon that his slave is now a Christian, and Christians look out for each other, for they are IN CHRIST, of the same household of faith. Christians should deeply imbue love, for God is love. Love never fails, but endures to the end. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Therefore, Onesimus was to be loved by Philemon as a brother IN CHRIST. Paul loved Onesimus as a son; Philemon was to love him as a brother. In the body of Christ, we should love each other as brothers and sisters. Our love should be known by all. People should know that we love people, that we are different from the world. John wrote, they will know you by your love. Sadly, sometimes the world knows us by our negative thinking, our narrowness, our complaining spirit, our doomsday face, not by our love. We should be the most joyful, happy, contented, loving people on the face of the earth.

But I suspect if you asked the world about Christians, they often would have an opposite view of us. And many of us have earned it. Many times we are ready to criticize and yet willing to overlook our own faults and failings. We readily discern sin, but not our own hypocrisy. We can tell the world quickly what they should do, but our actions many times betray our mouths. Too often, we do a poor job of portraying Jesus Christ to the world. Are we quick to forgive or are we quick to judge? Do we have a meek spirit or is ours a troubling spirit? Philemon was not to treat his brother in Christ as a slave anymore; he was to treat him as a brother. Neither should we treat the world as a master treats a slave. God did not make us overseers, judging and criticizing everything the world does. If we are loving, does that mean we have no influence over the world? No, we have more influence, for goodness exposes darkness--light drives out darkness.

Do you suppose Onesimus became slothful and lazy because he was treated better by Philemon when he returned? No, Christians reveal Christ by how hard they work. Onesimus would no longer need Philemon looking over his shoulder to ensure that he worked hard as a dutiful slave, for Christians are people of integrity with allegiance to Christ their Lord. They work hard. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 KJV) Paul wanted Philemon to act as a Christian in his dealings with his former slave, revealing Christ's love to Onesimus and to world. I am sure he did right by Onesimus when he returned. For the Lord's sake, may we do right by everyone, even those outside of the family of God who are watching to see light in the darkness.

Philemon 1:7-10

Philemon 1:7-10 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul — an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus — I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

Mark 10:28-31 Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields — and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Philemon was a servant of God, a strong follower of Jesus Christ. Therefore, he probably would have succumbed to Paul's wishes concerning Onesimus no matter what they were; however, Paul did not approach Philemon with his authority as an apostle but as a fellow brother IN CHRIST and as a friend. Jesus said his followers would have many homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields. Onesimus, Philemon, and Paul were all IN CHRIST, part of the family of God. They were brothers and sons IN CHRIST. Paul, because he was old, considered Onesimus to be his son, for Onesimus was serving him as a son would serve his father. Consequently, Paul was protective of Onesimus; he was concerned about his future. He wanted the best for Onesimus, and he wanted him to be free. Yet Paul did not use his authority to order his brother IN CHRIST, Philemon, to do the right thing; rather, he beseeched Philemon to do the right thing. He exhorted him to free Onesimus, for he knew that this once useless slave would now serve Philemon with vigor either as a freeman or as a slave, for just as Philemon's heart had been changed, Onesimus' heart had been changed.

Do we function in the world with a changed heart or do we still function in the world with the old man or woman's heart? Do we treat people as Christ would treat them or do we treat them as the carnal, fleshly person would treat them? As I see Christians heckling, booing, and angrily shouting at their representatives in Congress, I wonder what kind of heart these people are manifesting. I suspect the heart of the old man or woman, supposedly dead at the cross. We can resurrect the old person anytime our fleshly passions get the best of us, but that does not further the cause of Christ. Paul in the above passage could have demanded his way. He could have lambasted Philemon for treating his slave so poorly that he forced him to flee from his presence. He could have made all kinds of claims against Philemon's personal integrity. He could have reminded Philemon of the fruit of the Spirit and how "real" Christians' love always protects, never keeps records of wrong. But he didn't, he treated Philemon with kindness and consideration. He just reminded him that we are all brothers IN CHRIST, and as members of the same family, we should treat each other well, always looking out for the best interests of our brothers and sisters IN CHRIST.

Paul treated Philemon as we should treat our friends, loved ones, and people in the world. He treated him as Christ treated us. Christ died for us; He was willing to go the second mile. Are we like that or are we like the stubborn mule that sits down and will go no further? Do we balk and become boorish? Do we yell, scream, holler, even lie to get our way? Philemon is a good book to read often because it reminds us of servanthood, of how we should deal with each other even when we have power to force our will upon others. Jesus, the King of kings, was a servant. We also should be servants for that is our reasonable service, our privilege, our joy, as children of God and joint heirs with Christ Jesus.

Philemon 1:17

Philemon 1:17 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

Philemon was a Christian and a slave owner. One of his slaves, Onesimus, ran away, and was at the time of this letter serving Paul faithfully in Rome. Paul is writing to ask Philemon to treat Onesimus, who is now a Christian, kindly when he returns to his household. Runaway slaves who were caught were sometimes so brutally punished by their masters for running away that they were either maimed for life or killed. To maintain the institution of slavery, slaves had to fear running away; therefore, horrific punishments were meted out to them. In this letter Paul beseeches Philemon to treat Onesimus on his return as he would greet Paul: So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. (vs 17) Of course, this was asking a lot from Philemon, but Paul reminded him that Onesimus was now his brother in Christ. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatian 3:26-28) Paul desired that Onesimus be set free, but we do not know whether he was ever set free, for slavery was a major component of the economy, integrally interwoven in the lifestyle of the ancients.

Paul considered himself not only as a prisoner of the Romans, but also as a prisoner of Jesus Christ. His life had been sold willingly to Jesus Christ. He was no longer his own; therefore, slavery, regardless of the kind, was not a primary concern for his life. As a freeman he became a slave for the cause of Christ. Paul said, everyone is a slave, either to the world or to Christ. Therefore, it did not make a big difference to Paul whether you were free or a slave. He believed the soul of man was either a slave to the devil or to God. Today, in America, we have a lot of freedom. We can decide to do pretty much what we want to do. But, we are still slaves to something by our own choices.

Paul thanked God for Philemon because he had placed his faith in Jesus Christ. He had sold himself to Jesus Christ for God's glory. As American Christians we don't think that way. We equate Christianity with freedom. We idolize freedom, we worship freedom, but the Bible does not view freedom in the same way we view freedom. The Bible indicates we have freedom to serve God, not ourselves. We have freedom to bring glory to God, not to ourselves. As Christians we are under the constraints of the Word of God. In the Old Testament we see the Jews expressing their freedom by serving other gods and marrying women who were not Jews. God judged them for that. They did not have freedom to do whatever they desired. Christians are likewise under the constraints of God's will. We have freedom to serve others and to follow God. When we focus on our freedom, what we deserve and what we should get out of life, we are straying from freedom in Christ, which is to serve the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is the freedom we have inherited.

Well, what about the institution of slavery? What should be done about slavery today? We should abhor it, we should fight it, for it binds men to an earthly master. All men should be free, for they were made in the image of God. Jews were not to own other Jews. But still, slavery is not the most significant issue in the context of a Christian life. We are commanded to serve men readily for we are Christ's servants. We are taught to look out for others because we are Christ's servants. The world knows us as Christians, his servants. Therefore, we should not be our own, but his. I have been asked why does the Bible not speak out strongly against slavery, for even Paul asked slaves to serve faithfully the froward master. Paul knew the actual realities of life. We are all slaves to something, and without Christ, regardless of being free or not, we are still slaves, either to sin and death, or to life eternal. Whether free or not, we will be judged by the master we serve. If we serve Christ Jesus, we have life eternal; if we serve ourselves and Satan, we will be damned. Yes, Jesus Christ has come to set us free; yes, we are free indeed, but we are free to serve the one we love, which is our reasonable service. It is a paradox, but when we stand fast in the freedom of Christ, we willingly serve with all that is within us.