Philemon 1

I have to admit something to you all.... I don't think I've ever read Philemon before. When I saw on the bookmark that I would be talking about this one chapter book, I was thinking to myself,  "What is Philemon even about?" My initial reaction to Philemon was, ok, that's cool, Paul is writing a letter to this guy Philemon, and he wants him to treat this other guy Onesimus, who Paul led to Jesus, as a brother and not a slave. Why is this even in the Bible? Why is it important (besides the obvious fact that it was kept in the canon for a reason)?

But then, I got to thinkin' about the importance of how we treat one another as fellow believers and how the Gospel informs this. I believe this book has a lot to say about that.

Onesimus was once Philemon's slave but ran away and ended up in prison with Paul. While in prison, Paul tells Onesimus about Jesus and he becomes a disciple. Paul is writing this letter to Philemon because he wants Philemon to treat Onesimus as a brother in Christ, not as a slave. Paul even says that he will pay anything that Onesimus owes to Philemon (v.19).

What a beautiful picture of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Not only is Onesimus a beloved son of God but he is also a free man, no longer a slave to sin. Paul is essentially saying to Philemon that he has an opportunity to put the awesome and incredible grace and love of God on display by not holding anything against Onesimus, forgiving him of his debt, and making him a free man, Paul is saying that this is Philemon's responsibility as a brother in Christ, And what's more, Paul is putting Christ on display by saying that he will pay Onesimus' debt.

I can't help but be overcome by God's love and grace. He invites us into His family, calls us sons and daughters, pays our debt through Jesus on the cross, and restores us to how we were supposed to be. Although we still live in this broken world and hurt one another, we always have hope that God will undo ALL of the sad things and make all things new. We know how to love our brothers and sisters because God showed us how when He became flesh and lived among us. Paul's transformation and love for Onesimus is only possible because of Jesus' love for him.

Will you let God's love transform you?