Philemon 1

PHILEMON 1 MONDAY, JULY 15

“I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing ...” (6). Paul wanted Philemon, a wealthy slave owner who had become a believer and hosted a church (2), to grow into a new understanding of “every good thing”. Philemon’s runaway slave, Onesimus, had become a Christian through contact with Paul. Now, Paul urged Philemon to let go of old categories that divided and dehumanized and to welcome Onesimus back as a “dear brother” and “fellow man” in Christ (16).

Jesus never forces our obedience. “On the basis of love” (9), He invites us to surrender our old ways of thinking and relating so that He can re-create us.