Be Obedient! (Philemon v21-25)

Source: Uncompromising!

The apostle Paul, currently sitting in prison for preaching the Gospel of Christ has written a letter to Philemon, a past convert through Paul with one request: 'reconsider how you treat Onesimus, your slave, as he has also heard the Gospel of Christ and his life has been changed, just as yours has been'.

Verse 21-22
Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you. 

Paul is confident that Philemon will accept his proposal and treat Onesimus differently to just being a slave. There is no indication that Paul wishes for him to be set completely free, however, he may hint towards that when he says, 'for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you'. Knowing Paul is currently in prison and referring to the likely event of his freedom, Philemon may be moved to have compassion upon Onesimus and set him free from his 'imprisonment' (i.e. slavery). Although Paul uses the word, 'obedience', he is not expecting obedience out of authority or compulsion. Instead, Paul emphasizes Philemon's compassion and generosity and showing that he knows with 100% confidence that Philemon will do everything within his power to follow the guidance.

He may be requesting Philemon to pray for his release to freedom or maybe identifying he knows he has been praying with those in his house-church. Either way, Paul leans on that spiritual act by asking Philemon to 'prepare a guest room'. Paul knows he will be released. He doesn't just think it will happen, he expects it to happen. That is his hope!

Of course, he does not want to leave prison for the sake of his own freedom, more that he wishes to spend some time with his new convert, Onesimus and his spiritual brother, Philemon in his house-church (I will be graciously given to you). That being said, he clearly leans on God's grace for any chance of freedom never doubting it will happen.

Verse 23-25
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

The ending of the letter is characteristic of Paul, sending greeting of those close to him, but finishing with a prayer for Philemon's spiritual journey ('The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit'), surely a reminder to Philemon (and his church) of God's grace setting them free from the slavery of sin.

Philemon owned slaves, but, he was a slave himself; a slave to sin. Just like you and me, he was a slave to his worldly passions and natural desires.

He heard the Gospel of Christ through Paul, the apostle and discovered that Christ had set him free from slavery to sin. His life was changed. He was made perfect in Christ as long as he remained obedient to God.

Now Onesimus, a slave of Philemon's has done wrong by running away. He too was a slave to sin. His heart was governed by worldly passions and natural desires, just like Philemon.

Paul, the same apostle who led the conversion of Philemon, shares the Gospel with Onesimus and declares him free by the blood of Christ. He too is changed. He has also been made perfect in Christ so long as he remains obedient to God.

Two people who are complete opposites in their status in society; one wealthy, one a slave have the same story!

Two extremes of people; two different worlds of living; the wealthy and the poor; the educated and not so educated; the free owner of slaves and the slave that is owned - hear the same Gospel message which results in their life being changed.

The request is simple: just believe, obey Christ and be effective in your faith.

It does not matter who we are, whether we're a wealthy employer or an employee scraping by on minimum wage, an owner of a mansion or someone without a home or if we're begging for our next meal or have everything we want and more, no matter what position in society we place ourselves - we are all slaves to sin.

The good news is, however, Christ ignores our status in society, he is not interested in our achievements or how much wealth we have acquired. He is only interested in our spiritual souls.

So then, when it comes down to it, with all the barriers stripped away, the only important consideration is Christ: he alone is the defining factor of whether we are saved or not. He alone has the power to change our lives. He alone sets us free from the bondage of sin. He restores life, makes us one with God and in him, we are adopted sons of God.

All we need do is simple: just believe, obey Christ and be effective in our faith!

Your Debts Have Been Paid In Full. (Philemon v17-20)

Source: Prison Ministry Partners

So, the apostle Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus (v1) is contending the faith. His message is simple, just believe. He has already told Philemon to praise God through Jesus Christ, remember his new outlook on life and to be effective, now he turns to the soul purpose of the letter, Onesimus.

Verse 17
So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 

'my partner': Paul counts Philemon as a colleague in Christ and as such, instructs him to 'receive [Onesimus] as you would receive me'. The Gospel-powered event that caused Philemon to be changed automatically makes him a brother in Christ Jesus and now, Philemon hears Onesimus has experienced the very same life-changing power of the Gospel.

Verse 18-19
If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it - to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 

Any debt due Philemon as a result of Onesimus' behaviour is to be credited to Paul's account and must be completely wiped clean from Onesimus' ledger. Paul testifies 'I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it', assuring Philemon any debt will be paid in full by Paul. However, Paul reminds the slave owner, that he, himself, is indebted to the apostle for being introduced to the Gospel, in fact, owes 'even [his] own self': his spiritual life is indebted to Paul because through him he was converted. This is a far greater debt than anything Onesimus owes Philemon.

Verse 20
Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

And so, Paul reiterates his request of Philemon by assuming he will follow his advice. 'I want some benefit from you in the Lord', it is clear Paul wants Philemon to 'obey' him, but by his own free choice. He wants Philemon to want to help Onesimus and in doing so, not only will he become more effective in his faith, he will 'refresh [Paul's] heart in Christ'.

Onesimus is free from the bondage of sin, he is no longer a slave to sin, he has been set free by the blood of Christ Jesus, just as Philemon has been. The same Gospel message that Philemon, the master of slaves heard that brought about his changed life was also heard by Onesimus, the slave. Therefore, by that very fact, if Philemon is to accept he is saved and now a prisoner of the Gospel (just as Paul is quite literally!), he must also accept Onesimus' new status as a Christian brother.

Paul models the transforming love of the Gospel, he takes its very essence and shows Philemon what it means to be effective in his faith. He declares he will repay all debts due to Philemon as a result of what Onesimus has done. In return, Philemon must declare Onesimus' ledger clean. This is the Gospel message!

Christ Jesus has ultimately repaid our debts, with his very life! In return, he declares our ledgers clean. Just as Philemon is indebted to Paul, we are indebted to Christ 'even [our] own self!

Because Christ died with our sin (i.e. our debt to God), we are no longer slaves to sin, but prisoners of God's grace.

Hallelujah!

Be changed! (Philemon v8-16)

Source: Brainerd Baptist Church

Last time, we discovered that Paul was instructing Philemon, master of slaves, convert to Christianity and someone who shares the Gospel in his house to be more effective. We were reminded that we need to let Christ have ALL our life and not just the little bits we want him having. Not leaving anything to chances, Paul goes on to explain how Philemon can be more effective in his spiritual life, according to the Gospel.

Verse 8-9

Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you - I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus ...

Paul lets Philemon know that he has the authority, tenacity and boldness to command him to follow his instruction, but if he did, that would would defeat the purpose. Paul did not want Philemon to follow his instruction by compulsion, he wanted him to want to follow the instruction, because it is the loving thing to do 'yet for love's sake'. Again, Paul reminds Philemon that he is a prisoner for the sake of the Gospel, together with verse 1, 'Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus' surely suggests that Paul is appealing to Philemon's position as Master of slaves, someone who can govern the freedom of slaves (who live a life similar to prisoners - their freedom is not their own!). Not only that, this plea to which Paul is about to give comes with it a powerful standing. Paul is partaking in the suffering of Christ (as a prisoner for preaching the Gospel) right now and is an ambassador 'an old man' for the Gospel. These, together with Philemon's new status as 'prisoner of grace' builds a picture of similarity that would grasp Philemon's attention.

verse 10-12

... I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus whose father I became in my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and me. I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.

Here, we have Paul's plea on behalf of Onesimus, the runaway slave belonging to Philemon. Paul is doing the right thing by Roman law, returning what belongs to Philemon (i.e. a slave) and in doing so, appealing to him that he chooses to set him free. Paul informs Philemon that he has become Onesimus' spiritual father through sharing of the gospel and that he is so dear to him that Paul calls him, [his] 'very heart'. It is clear that Onesimus was originally 'useless' to Philemon. The reasons as to why are unknown, however I believe the point here is that Onesimus has undergone a life-changing event, has a new outlook in life, so powerful that his life is completely changed from what he was, to becoming 'useful to you and me'. Paul petitions Philemon on the basis that this life-changing event also happened in him, and, indeed, to Paul himself (i.e. on the road to Damascus - Acts 9). The fact that Onesimus has been helping Paul is evidence of this life-transformation.

Verse 13-14

I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.

Paul emphasizes that he feels strongly about Onesimus and his life-changing event, but given that he belongs to Philemon, Paul wants to allow Philemon to make a free choice 'for love's sake' and not because he feels compelled to. He wants to encourage Philemon in his faith, despite the letter being about Onesimus. Even now, whilst Paul experiences 'imprisonment for the gospel' does he show 'fatherly' interest in Philemon's (a former convert of Paul's) faith and righteous path. He does not want him to feel forced to obey Paul, although Paul is 'bold enough in Christ to command' him.

Verse 15-16
For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother - especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Paul is perhaps pointing towards divine intervention on the part of Onesimus' situation 'For this perhaps is why he was parted from you', suggesting that God has used the bad experience (i.e. Onesimus running away) to bring about a good experience (i.e. the conversion of Onesimus). It is clear, however, that Onesimus' life has changed and that he is no longer to be considered a slave 'more than a bondservant' by Philemon.  Notice, however, Paul is not suggesting that Philemon should release Onesimus from his position, and not just to treat him as a brother in Christ, but more than that 'a beloved brother ... in the flesh and in the Lord'. Paul allows Philemon to deal with his own household and 'property'. The life-changing event brought about by Christ will not affect your position in society, but your heart and out-look in life.

So, what would you do in the exact same position as Philemon? Would you ignore the strong hint from Paul? Would you carry on as you did before, treating your slave as a slave and nothing but a slave, despite them having become a Christian? OK, let me try and put this in a more modern way ...

Suppose you were an employer and you have lots of employees. You created your company from scratch and appointed every employee in every position. Then one day, one of your employees does something wrong and runs away. A short time later, you discover that he has been listening to the very guy you heard some time ago. A person who spoke about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and who helped you meet Jesus for the first time and changed your life. The employee returns with a letter that explains your employee is different, better and just like you. The letter urges you to let the employee off the hook, but acknowledges that the decision is yours.

Now, what would you do?

Well, Paul approaches the subject from the inside out. He directs Philemon toward the heart and the love of Christ that is within him.

When Christ enters our heart, he finds a heart that is enslaved to all kinds of sin. He finds a life that is governed by worldly passions and a darkness that empowers it.

He finds a slave.

But, he refuses to leave us that way.

He gives us his heart, his life, his love. We become changed. Paul says that Onesimus has been changed, just as Philemon, himself has been. Therefore, he should treat his former slave as a Christian brother, but more than that, he should choose to treat Onesimus according to his new status in Christ.

When we come face to face with the Father, He chooses to see us as Christ. Christ chose the cross to set us free from the slavery of sin. We are made perfect through Christ. He is in us and we are in him and the Father chooses only to see his perfect child.

Accept Christ today and he'll set you free.

I've been changed I've been newborn

All my life has been rearranged.

What a diff'rence it made

When the Lord came

And stayed in my heart

Oh yes, I've been changed.

by Mosie Lister

Pub: Lillenas Publishing Co.