0725 WELCOMING A USELESS THIEF

JULY 25 = PHILEMON

WELCOMING A USELESS THIEF

Paul writes the briefest of his letters to a brother in Christ named Philemon, who is known to “have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.” Philemon had become a believer, and had a church that met in his home, together with his family. The main purpose for this letter is to restore a relationship between Philemon and his former slave, Onesimus.

Here is the likely backstory of the relationship between the two men: Onesimus had been the slave of Philemon—perhaps a bond servant, perhaps someone whose services had been purchased by the wealthy Philemon. If Onesimus was his name from birth, then it seems likely that his family was a family of servants, for they named their son “Useful.”

However, young Onesimus was not growing into his destiny, for he was becoming “useless” to Philemon and his family. And then he ran away, likely stealing some things from Philemon on his way out.

That’s when Onesimus met Paul and was led to the Lord Jesus Christ, and his life turned upside down. He became an eager helper to Paul, delivering two of his letters (Colossians and Ephesians) by hand. And now, this former slave was called by Paul “my very heart.” And Paul knows that it is best to send Onesimus back to his master to be forgiven and restored. So he writes this letter to help pave the way.

“Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.”

Then comes one of the verses of Scripture that strikes me as an inside joke. Paul writes, “I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self.” (And I always think, it’s a good thing that Paul didn’t mention that!)

It leads me to a question: Is there a place for me as a believer in Christ to hold a personal wrong against someone? What if they betrayed me? Stole from me? Had a bad attitude? Were a lazy worker? Lied to me? Ran away and became unreachable? Is there good reason for me to pray against him, and ask God to bring him to harm?

Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek to the one who strikes us. To bless those who curse us. To forgive those who have wronged us. In short, our Lord said to pray for our enemies. And when we pray, what do we ask God for? To hurt, confront, impede, and curse the person for eternity? Or do we pray for him to bless them, to heal them, to bring them repentance so that seasons of refreshing may come to them? 

May we let love always be our highest priority, even when we are wronged. Then it will be true that we will have spent a lifetime “refreshing the hearts of the saints.” And in the end, “the grace of the Lord Jesus [will] be with your spirit.” Amen.