One of the great joys of any teacher or pastor is seeing his students apply
what they have been taught and being blessed. Years ago we were able to assist
an old pastor’s family that was in need. They were instrumental in our early
Christian walk, and his comments still touch me today. As overjoyed with the
gift and answer to prayer they had received, he found more joy in the fact that
we were filled with joy in giving and seeing the example he set of Christ
duplicated. Truly is it better to give than receive as we know, and having been
on both sides, when God is involved all are blessed. Maybe the best outward
sign of a changed heart, the motivation by the spirit in a person’s life, giving
them a desire to be what they weren’t before, and enabling them to do it.
Picture if you will a man and wife eating lunch on the patio with their
son. From a distance they see a man approaching, and they cannot believe their
eyes. It was a man who they had taken in, who had disappeared one night taking
some money and valuables. They had no word from him for years, and now he was
walking up the driveway, looking excited to see them. Stunned, maybe a bit
concerned they welcome him, and the reunion is sweet. A blessing to all....and
a testimony of lives changed by Jesus Christ.
Such is the letter written to Philemon, the 25 verse book in the Bible
written by Paul to him. His family is sitting eating, when an old slave who ran
away, Onesimus, returns. First some bitterness appears, sin will do that, but
soon it appears that Onesimus, whose name means profitable, is not the same man
who ran away. Although many times a crook returns to the scene of the crime,
this time is different. He had met Paul in Rome, and become a Christian under
him. A great helper and advocate of Paul’s teachings, he is faced with
repenting to his former owner, willing to suffer the consequences, which could
be deadly. A slave was property, and for running away could have a huge F, for
fugitive branded on his forehead. He could have been sold at market, or
condemned to death, all left up to the owner, Philemon. And it is up to the
Phil the teacher to apply what he has been teaching. Paul writes in the letter,
Onesimus has become a Christian and a great asset to him. But he sent him back,
the right thing to do, and asks Phil to do the right thing with him, Paul wants
him back, but leaves the decision up to him. Asking him, not telling him, to do
the right, Christian thing, that although he owes Paul for leading him in
salvation, even sending money to support the church in his home, that none of
these should affect his decision. It is his choice to forgive as he had been
forgiven, and although Onesimus was once a slave to man, he is now a bond slave
to Jesus Christ. An equal in God’s eyes. As we all were once, and Jesus
forgave us, and where we were once forbidden, we are now forgiven, and
welcomed. Where once Onesimus had been a slave, he came back a brother, with
Paul’s request, “as a brother, treat him as you would me.” Also reminding him
to put his debt on his credit, as Paul had been helpful monetarily too. But
also if you choose to punish him, I will stand with you. Not what Philemon had
anticipated. Only in the spirit are we allowed to make up our minds, Paul could
have easily persuaded Phil, but didn’t. Just as the Lord lets us make the
choices, for true love demands a choice. All three men here had chosen Jesus,
now the test had come. That which had been unprofitable was now profitable, he
was needed.
Interestingly here Paul appeals as a friend, not an apostle. A brother
instead of a teacher, and points out the obvious. We are all family in Christ,
and free in the spirit. But our choice of how we live in it or let it become a
burden. Religion and its legalism would say carry out the law, just as the
crowd called out “crucify him!” about Jesus. But as we are given mercy, we are
to pass it on. It may not be a heavy debt or hurt, but do we forgive or turn to
scripture, carefully weeding it out and interpreting it for our own good. Has
our heart changed and do we forgive as we have been forgiven? Jesus tells us
that we are, but are we? Do we just say the words of the Lord’s prayer, or do
we truly forgive? Have we become one in the spirit of Jesus Christ, or one in
the battle against him? Be careful before you answer....
Onesimus had become a problem when he had fled, Phil losing a worker,
money, property, and trust. Anything but an asset, but now saved was a great
asset to Paul. What would Phil do, prosecute him or send him back to Paul? All
material debts could be settled, that left only the spiritual one, that Jesus
paid and the example he left for us. Paul asked for Phil’s consent before he
acted, do we consider Jesus in the same way? Do we forgive, or forbid? What
would you have done?
We are not told the answer to Paul’s request, but signs off saying “ I know
you will do more than I ask.” Persuasive words or a sign of faith? Jesus
forgave all our sins, do we forgive others? Do we forgive ourselves? I would
have loved to overheard the conversation after Phil read the letter. And his
answer. But more important, God included this letter in the Bible to test us,
to remind us, to show us true love. Jesus gave it all for us, while we were yet
sinners. We are now part of the family, with all the rights and blessings.
Jesus always does more than we can ask. I would think Philemon did the same.
It must have been difficult and at the same time rewarding to see his old slave,
now his brother. It is not who we were, but who we are now, the new man in
Christ that matters. For the old is passed away....and that is where we should
leave it. Greater love has no man.....and the story goes on.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com