Philemon Chapter 1
I remember many years ago, there was a Christian singing group that released an album called the ‘Onesimus Principle’. And all the songs were related to teachings found in this letter from Paul to Philemon.
This is the shortest of all of Paul’s letters and he challenged Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus had escaped to Rome after stealing something from Philemon but there, he met Paul, was converted and repented of his wrongs.
Paul had decided with Onesimus that it was the right thing for Onesimus to return to Philemon. And the purpose of this letter was to appeal to Philemon to forgive Onesimus and receive him back and even release him.
This was where the Onesimus Principle was drawn from: We need to reconcile with God and with each other. And we need to do it now.
Some Christians use the Cross to demonstrate that there are 2 dimensions in a Christian’s relationship. The vertical is the relationship we have with Jesus that results in our sins being forgiven. The horizontal is the relationship we have with one another and one of the key aspects is to forgive one another and to do to one another what you want others to do to you.
When we read this letter, although the word “forgiveness” is never mentioned, it is very clear that this is a central theme.
For peace or reconciliation to take place, there needs to be:
- The Peacemaker – In this it was Paul who preached and converted Onesimus and then worked to reconcile Philemon and Onesimus
- The Repentant – in this case, Onesimus must accept that what he did was wrong and face the consequences of his action. But he must repent and make restitution.
- The Forgiver – Philemon was reminded of his own debt to God and this should be why he needed to show his love and forgiveness to Onesimus.
At different times of our lives, we may be in the position of Paul. Or Onesimus… or Philemon.
But the lessons are clear.
If we want forgiveness, we should start by forgiving others.
“And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.”
~ Matthew 6:12
“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
~ Matthew 18:35
May we learn from this short but powerful letter today.