Confident In You

     Please read Philemon.  Paul had time as he penned this letter from prison.  He had a serious matter to discuss with Philemon but prior to the request, he took time to offer a prayer and kind words.  I ask, do we?  I am making a concerted effort to greet and exchange a kind word before getting down to business.  Adding a good morning and waiting for a response makes a difference.  

    On Saturday, the Ghana Presbyterian church came to do some yard work.  Before they started their work, they prayed and sang.  It was a brief word praising God and asking that all be done--be done to His glory.  Friends, before “business” takes over, let’s greet one another and exchange love.

     Philemon is Paul’s shortest book, but its size does not echo its message.  Almost immediately, Paul acknowledges Philemon’s faith in Jesus and his intense ability to love.  He offers a prayer of gratitude which he expects will deepen their partnership in Christ.  Church, prayer changes things.  It changes the climate of a situation, it changes the attitude of those participating, it changes the heart. Before we mail the letter, pick up the phone, address the clerk, or talk to a loved one, we need to pause and pray asking God to help us to respond in love.

     Verse 8 begins, “therefore.”  This word prepares us…letting us know something is coming.  Paul is asking for a favor.  What is coming is the expectation of a partnership (koinonia).  Koinonia means coming together in love and through encouragement; being connected on a spiritual level and being committed to one another in faith.  Paul is asking Philemon to sacrifice his personal agenda for the greater good.  He is hoping that Philemon will gently deal with the past, offer forgiveness, and be a Christian model.  

     To summarize, while in prison Paul met Onesimus. Onesimus was enslaved to Philemon and had run away to Rome.  Providentially, Paul and Onesimus met and developed a relationship on the foundation of unity in Christ.  Leading Philemon to make a decision based on his love of the Lord; the love that saved him, the love that forgave him.  This pivotal point in the story and may mirror our lives today.  Are our decisions, responses and relationships based on our love of the Lord; the love that saved us, and the love that forgave us?  

      Paul refers to Onesimus as his son.  He led him to faith and became his spiritual mentor; he grew to respect him and viewed him in equality.  Upon learning the details of Onesimus’s past, Paul insisted that he return to Philemon with this letter in hand seeking Onesimus’s acceptance back into the house.  Church, in essence, this is what Jesus did for us.  We sin, and with sin we are condemned but with Christ we are welcomed home.  Is there someone we need to welcome home?  To offer forgiveness to?  To extend the hand of peace to?  Let’s put the agendas and pride aside and respond Christlike.   

      Paul mentioned that the time they spent apart as being good.  This correlates to the relationship of Jesus and the Father.  Jesus, apart from the Father, lived on earth fully man and fully God.  He was separated from the Father for a little while, so that believers in Christ could all be together.  Now, Philemon 15 says, “Perhaps the reason (Onesimus) was separated from (Philemon) for a little while was that you might have him back forever.”  Because Jesus was apart from the Father we are with God, forever.  Paul is proposing reconciliation; he is encouraging him to welcome him home, forgive him, and offer freedom.  

      Paul often speaks of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, so, I asked myself, why is he not speaking of Christ here, when he expects so much of Philemon?  It is because Paul is demonstrating the meaning of the cross in his actions and words.  He says in verse 18, “If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.”  Is that not what Christ has done for each of us?  Jesus, paid our account in full, wiped away the debt!  He is saying, “Welcome him as if me…the debt is paid in full!”   You see, it is all about grace.  We are all the same; broken and sinners…cleansed by the blood of Jesus. 

     Finally, Paul announced his return to Philemon, telling them to be prepared.  Church, we do not know the outcome, but we do know that this letter is part of the inspired word of God and it should prompt us.  We are called to extend grace, forgive, and love as it was extended to us.  This book is a reminder to be accountable and live out our heartfelt prayer, “…and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” And all God’s people say, “Amen!”

Blessings,

Pastor Kerry

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