Philemon

Everytime I read Paul’s letter to Philemon I am reminded of the Onesimus Principle.

What is the Onesimus Principle?

Well, let me start off by asking if you know who Onesimus was? Er… I guess we should backtrack first and ask who was this Philemon that Paul was writing to?

Philemon was most probably a rich Christian and a member of the church at Colossae.  He had a slave by the name of Onesimus (the name means useful) and Onesimus actually ran away from Philemon, and perhaps had stolen some money from Philemon as he ran to Rome.  There he met Paul and became a Christian and was very helpful to Paul.  But when Paul found out about his background, he was now sent back to his master … but with this covering letter from Paul that we now read.

Bible Passage:  Philemon

I keep on imagining if I am Philemon… my slave had absconded with some of my money and for some time, I have not managed to find him.  Now suddenly, he is back!  Not only that… he is back with a letter from my dear apostle in Christ… someone whom I respect and love a great deal.

And what is Paul asking me to do?  He is asking me to forgive him totally?

I cannot help but laugh when I read the letter.  Paul completely leave Philemon with no room to move as he worked to get Onesimus forgiven and accepted back by Philemon.  Paul was trying to say that “I am not forcing you or anything but….”  And then the final touch came was Paul suggested that he may soon be released from prison and then visit Philemon!

If Philemon had any thoughts of giving Onesimus his just desserts, he now has to be confronted with the prospect of Paul arriving at his doorstep and asking, “Where is our dear brother Onesimus?” 😀

Do you see the humour here?  Oh well… maybe you can see the following lessons:

Brotherly Love

This letter demonstrates the power of the grace and love of Jesus in uniting believers in Him. While he was formerly a thief and a runaway slave, Philemon was now transformed by God’s grace to become a “dear brother” of Philemon (v. 16).

Now we Christains often talk about love, forgiveness and mercy.  And we encourage, admonish and cajole others to display these Christ like virtues.

But when it comes to difficult matters in our own daily lives where we are called to display these virtues in actionable and practical ways… do we struggle and mumble that these are for others and not ourselves.  Or do we think that these are just ideals but not something that is applicable to our lives?

Paul certainly did not think otherwise.  To him, this was the Saviour’s message put to application. This is Christian love put to test.  This is forgiveness exemplified.

Brotherly love is shown clearly in this epistle:

• Grateful for the best in others (v.4)
• Seeks the welfare of others (v.10)
• Deals honestly with othrs (v.12)
• Bears the burdens of others (v.18)
• Believes the best of others (v.21)

So what is the Onesimus Principle?

Actually, the “Onesimus Principle” was a group of Christian singers of whom some were my seniors in school.  And the called themselves the ‘Onesimus Principle’ and had only one album by the same name.

Now I remembered the name till now because the songs that were sung were of this same one theme.

Yesterday, OurKing’sWatchman remarked that the story of Ruth parallels the redemption plan of mankind.

The story of Onesimus also does the same.  It speaks about forgiveness that can only come God for a slave of sin who deserves no pardon but does … all because of the love of Jesus.

And the principle is this… if we expect to be forgiven of our sins by God… we should also start by looking around us and forgiving others of their sins… after all… we love because He first loved us.