Philemon 1:15-16 "For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; (16) Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?"
A question to get us started this morning: Do you believe God works behind the
scenes in situations in order to strengthen our faith? Do you believe God is
active in our lives even when we do not know or understand the thing that is
taking place?
Paul has asked Philemon to be a willing participant in the return of this
man. He said the reception of him should "not be as it were of
necessity, but willingly." Paul understood the truth that God loves a
cheerful giver and He desires that giving to be from a willing heart. That not
only pertains to gifts being given, but also to forgiveness being extended to
another. We sometimes hear it said, "I will forgive you this time, but if
you mess up again...."
Paul is appealing to Philemon to receive Onesimus back not as a slave, but as a
brother. If he had received him back as a slave, there would still be
resentment and harsh treatment because of his past. If Philemon receives him as
a brother, then he takes him back as his equal. He takes him back as a family
member rather than a servant.
Was this asking too much of Philemon? No doubt, he was a rich man if he owned
slaves. It is apparent that Philemon's life continued as usual for all the time
Onesimus was gone. God had blessed him beyond measure. And during that time,
God had blessed Onesimus beyond measure in revealing His love and
salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul is saying, "Philemon, take
him back and you will be blessed in seeing the difference in this man."
Take him back not only as an equal in material things, but also as a brother in
Christ. You both now have so much in common through the grace of our Lord."
Now put that grace to action in your life by doing this extravagant thing.
Jesus certainly gave the example of extravagance. He laid down His life on the
cross of Calvary in order that you and I would be received back unto the Father
as brothers and sisters. Let us always be "looking unto Jesus the author
and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the
cross." (Hebrews 12:2)
No doubt, God was working in this instance of forgiveness being extended.
It may not always be forgiveness that is needed. It may be in another manner
that the Lord is leading us to extend ourselves out of our comfort zone in
order to show our love and service unto Him. Are we willing to trust and
obey the Lord in all situations in order to see His power and glory in our
lives? It's something to think about.