Articles
Brothers In Christ - Philemon
Brothers In Christ - Philemon
"Put up or shut up". "The proof of the pudding is in the eating." "Put your money where your mouth is". All of these address the same point that one must walk the walk and not just talk the talk. James said: "show me your faith". Paul wrote: "It is not the hearers of the law that are just but the doers". Jesus asks: "Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not the things that I say?" It is not always easy to do. Look at the situation in the letter to Philemon.
Philemon apparently was the master and Onesimus was his slave. Onesimus had run away. In his running he met Paul and became a Christian. He now was 'walking the walk' and was returning to Philemon! Becoming a believer had not done away with his previous worldly relationship and role: he was still a slave to Philemon. Philemon was yet the master in their worldly relationship. He was now returning to what he had run away from. I honestly think that may have been one of the most difficult requirements of all of the commands of the New Testament.
Philemon had also met Paul and become a Christian. Paul commends him for his love for Jesus and for all the saints. Paul rejoices because Philemon had "refreshed the hearts of the saints". Philemon had opened up his house to allow the brethren to meet there for worship.
He was yet a master. He was to no longer to be an unjust one (if he had ever been such); but one who was 'good and gentle' (cp. 1 Pet. 2:18). As a believer he was to forego threatening his servants. As a believer he was to put off "bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice (Eph. 5:31). He now was to be kind, tenderhearted, and willing to forgive even as God in Christ had forgiven him (Eph. 5:32).
In Roman society, runaway slaves were often severely punished. They were 'made an example of' unto the other slaves by being beaten and often having the word 'slave' burned onto their forehead. What would Philemon do?
In Christ there is no longer master and slave (as least in their relationship to Jesus); here they are brothers! Would Onesimus be accepted as part of the church in Philemon's house? Would they together, on equal footing, serve the Lord together? Would Philemon forego his 'status' and 'class' standing and become one with his slave? Would he "do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than" himself"? (Phil. 2:3)
Becoming a Christian doesn't undo all of our earthly relationships and responsibilities. Sometimes it complicates such responsibilities. Often faithfulness unto the Lord's teaching poses difficulties upon us. Yet above all, we are servants of the Lord. We are to have died unto self and now live for Christ. We are to be obedient not just in the 'easy things', but even in the most difficult. If you were Philemon, what would you do?
Hugh DeLong
