Be Forgiving
Philemon 1, 3-22
The story found in the New Testament letter of Philemon is the tale of two men. In each of these men, we find a lesson for the Christian life today. The letter to Philemon is the shortest of Paul’s letters, containing only 468 words.
Philemon: The lesson of forgiveness. Philemon had become a follower of Christ through the ministry of the apostle Paul. The letter Paul wrote to Philemon reveals all that we know about him. It appears that Philemon’s entire household had come to faith in Christ. Additionally, a church was meeting in his house. He was a prominent and respected follower of the Lord. Philemon had a slave named Onesimus who had committed an offense and had run away. Paul wrote to Philemon with one purpose: to urge him to forgive Onesimus and receive him as a brother in Christ. The truest test of Christian maturity is the willingness to forgive others. By law, Philemon had a right to execute Onesimus immediately for running away or to brand him on the forehead as one who had been a fugitive. Philemon was about to experience the lesson of forgiveness.
Onesimus: The lesson of freedom. Onesimus was Philemon’s slave. We do not know how long he had been a slave in Philemon’s household or what offense he committed that caused him to run away. Perhaps Onesimus had stolen something from Philemon, for Paul pledged to pay it back for him. As a fugitive, Onesimus was in constant danger of being caught and put to death. He would live the rest of his life on the run, hunted by soldiers and bounty hunters. Onesimus ran away from captivity, only to discover he was still not free.
True freedom is found only in Jesus Christ. Freedom in Christ can be found in prison (Paul was in prison when he wrote the letter) or in slavery. Paul does not tell how, but somehow he crossed paths with Onesimus. Paul said of him, “I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment” (v. 10). As a result, Onesimus was born into the family of God and found real freedom. Many who appear to be free are actually in the captivity of their sin. Onesimus displayed enormous faith in God by returning to Philemon to make restitution for what he had done. Only God knew what the outcome would be.
It is unknown how Paul and Onesimus met each other in Rome. Some scholars believe the two men shared a prison cell. This is an example of God’s providence. God, in His divine plan, arranged a meeting between Paul and Onesimus that had eternal consequences. We can have confidence that the Lord is daily arranging such divine appoints in our lives as well.
Did Philemon forgive Onesimus? Did he welcome him into the church as a brother? The outcome of their relationship is unknown.
Melton– Lessons by Frankie Melton, pastor of Heath Springs Baptist Church, Heath Springs. He has a B.A. degree from Charleston Southern University, and a Ph.D. and M.Div. from Southern Seminary.