A Prisoner (Philemon)

This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. (Philemon 1:1-3 NLT)

Imagine, if you will, that you helped plant a church.  It’s a smaller church – meeting in one of the member’s house.  You love the church.  The people are a blessing.  Their faith is growing strong.  Their love is apparent.  Now, however, you cannot visit them anymore because you are in jail for your faith in Jesus Christ.

I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people. And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God's people. (Philemon 1:4-7 NLT)

Now imagine that someone from that house church visits you in jail.  It’s a little awkward, though, because your visitor is one of the servants (slaves) that live in the household.  This servant, Onesimus, ran away from his home and his master because he saw something different in you when you were there.  He wanted to learn more about your love, your joy, and your peace.

You teach him about what he came to learn.  You share the good news of the Gospel with him.  He believes, confesses, declares Jesus his Lord, and goes down into the waters of baptism.  He wants to repent of his sins and is convicted that one of them was running away from his master. Now, he turns to you, his mentor, once again for wisdom.  What should he do?

That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me--Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus. I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. (Philemon 1:8-10 NLT)

You encourage him to go back, for the sake of his conscience, his relationship with his master (Philemon), and for the unity of God’s Church.  You tell Onesimus that you will write a letter to your friend, Philemon, that he can take back with him that will explain everything.

Onesimus hasn't been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. But I didn't want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. (Philemon 1:11-15 NLT)

You struggle over what to write in this letter.  This is your friend and co-worker in Christ.  The church meets in their house.  Onesimus is now your brother in Christ, too.  He is a part of Christ’s Body: The Church.  You want their meeting to result in reconciliation, not fall out.  You want them to walk away loving one another like brothers.  So, you write.

He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I WILL REPAY IT. AND I WON'T MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL! Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ. I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! (Philemon 1:16-21 NLT)

This letter will be your only opportunity to minister to Philemon, work toward reconciliation, and bring healing to this part of God’s Church.  So, you not only write, but you pray.  You pray for Philemon. You pray for Onesimus.  You pray for the right words.  Then you finish your letter.

One more thing--please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (Philemon 1:22-25 NLT)

How about you?  Can you imagine it?  Could you have written this letter? Would you have known what to do?