PHILEMON: The Mega Themes

FORGIVENESS

         Philemon was Paul’s friend and the legal owner of the slave Onesimus. Paul asked in this letter for Philemon to not punish Onesimus but rather forgive and restore him due to his new standing as a brother in Christ. 

            The relationships we are to have with our brethren must be full of forgiveness and acceptance. Can you forgive those who have wronged you? The forgiving part seems a whole lot easier than the forgetting part. Certain life events trigger memories that have you thinking about what was either said or done to you and though you have honestly and truly forgiven the guilty party, you still carry around a small weight in your gut that represents your memory. Speak to the Lord about those memories that spark reliving the event all over again. The enemy wants you to brood about past injustices for that is his game. However, the Lord can relieve you of those bad memories so that even when they cross your mind you can quickly dismiss them, rather than replay them in the outer recesses of your mind.

 

BARRIERS

         Slavery is widespread in the Roman Empire, but no one is lost to God or beyond his love.  Slavery was a barrier between people.  There was no doubt a stigma regarding those who were slaves compared to those who were not. They were looked down upon by society as a whole. Doesn’t seem like being a slave was a whole lot different than those with leprosy, or the Jewish tax collector who worked for the Roman government. They were ALL looked down upon; for different reasons, granted, but looked down upon just the same. Christian love and fellowship are supposed to help us overcome those barriers. Regardless of who they are, where they’re from, how they dress or how they act, we are all created by the same God. 

So in reality, what or who gives us the right to look down on ANYONE.

            In Christ we are one family. No walls of racial, economic, or political differences should separate us. Let Christ work thru you to tear down any barriers that happen to exist within the brethren. It takes work. Those who are diligent and truthfully wish to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord, will strive to think, say, and do that which we read in the Gospels Jesus has done. He represents the standard that we should follow. 

 

RESPECT

         Paul was a friend to both Philemon AND Onesimus. He had the authority as an apostle of Christ to tell Philemon what to do. Yet he chose to appeal to their friendship in Christian love rather than order him regarding what he wanted him to do. 

            You’ve no doubt heard the phrase, “You draw more flies with honey then you do with vinegar.” Well, tactful persuasion will accomplish a great deal more than issuing an order. We must remember to show courtesy and respect in our relationships.

 

            Next we will take a closer look at Philemon’s slave Onesimus. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: The Life Application Study Bible.