A Dear Brother
I am
sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him
with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for
the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any
favor you do would not seem forced but would be
voluntary. 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. I, Paul, am writing
this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some
benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you,
knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
And
one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to
you in answer to your prayers.
Philemon 1:12-22
It
is clear that, at one point, Onesimus was a runaway
slave from his Christian master. But things changed. Onesimus
came to Christ because of Paul’s ministry. Paul wanted Onesimus
to be accepted, not as a slave, but as a fellow Christian. Paul was influencing
his world one heart at a time.
By
the transforming power of the gospel, people and situations may change.
The kindest thing you can do for another is to show him the
truth.
Our Daily Bread –