The book of Philemon has a couple of themes in it that are instructive for you and I. In vv.1-3, Paul opens the letter...reminding us that he considers the circumstances where he finds himself (in prison) to be according to God's plan. Paul does not consider that his trials are in fact a devilish scheme that trumped God's will to bless him...nor are they some punishment for bad karma. He is a prisoner of Christ (v.1)...and Philemon is his fellow worker. From that, we can be reminded that we are to have the same mind about our circumstances...whatever they are.
The back story is that Philemon's servant (slave) Onesimus left him and ended up in Rome where Paul was. Somehow, Paul and Onesimus met and Paul led him to faith in Christ. As Paul unpacked Onesimus' story, he came to understand that Onesimus was actually "on the run" from where he was supposed to be. Paul sends him back to Philemon, also a believer, with a letter.
Two quick observations:
First, some people get hung up on the issue of slavery and cannot read this letter for what it is. Slavery was not an issue in the first century. We miss the biblical message if we try to impose a cultural standard from 2000 years later and the other side of the world on this biblical text.
Second, Onesimus' return to Philemon is going to be difficult for him and for Philemon. He has to humble himself and do what is right as a Christian by returning. Philemon has to humble himself and choose to act according to a Christian standard (forgiveness, reconciliation, and rejoicing over Onesimus' salvation) versus the Greco-Roman cultural standard (a beating or death).
Notice in v.8, Paul does not order Philemon to act in a certain way, but encourages him to do so (v.9). Paul is coaching him in what to do but is giving him room to come to the conclusion on his own. [My...how could the church be if we quit trying to legislate conduct and coached/led people in the way they should go?]
In vv. 10-16, Paul says to Philemon that Onesimus did not have to return but chose to do so because it was right. Paul reminds Philemon that Onesimus was useless to him but now is useful as a servant again (this time to Paul). Paul challenges Philemon to commission Onesimus and to send him back to R0me (to Paul) after they reconcile the relationship. [Point: relationships done God's way may not seem to be the most efficient way to us...all the time. Paul could have ordered the right thing done, sent a letter explaining what he did and saved a lot of time and resources...but he put these two dudes together so they could work through their anger, hurt, emotional baggage and make amends.]
In vv.17-19, Paul shows grace. He reminds Philemon of the grace that saved him by offering to save Onesimus. [Point: The world understands grace better by what we do than by what we preach.]
In the remaining verses, Paul closes the letter but makes the last word (v.25) simply: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." [For Philemon to do the right thing, he must draw on God's grace, mindful that it is his only source and strength...and the only reason that he can have hope at all...in this life and the next.
Proverbs 3:7 is the takeaway for me. "Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil."
In our eyes, we can justify any evil deed. We justify speeding by the busy-ness of our schedule. We justify anger by the pressure we are under. We justify our lack of financial obedience by blaming the economy. We justify our non-participation in Kingdom business by saying we don't necessarily agree. The common factor here is the justification in our eyes. The thrust of the verse is to KNOW and DO the will of God which results in turning from evil and provides "peace" (v.2).
Grace,
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2 comments:
Good Word. Paul is such an amazing character, so matter of fact in his speeching but so in touch with personalities and actions. I have so much to learn. I am so quick to blame my valleys on outside sources when simply put, it is where God has me at the time. Things to Ponder!:)
Well stated. Thanks for commenting.
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