A Story About Redemption!

 

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Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

8 That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. 9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus. 10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. 11 Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. 12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. 13 I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. 14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. 15 It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. 16 He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

This is a touching story about Paul's relationship with a runaway slave named Onesimus. Onesimus was a slave of Philemon's house, and he escapted to Rome, where he met Paul. Oneismus became a believer through Paul's preaching of the gospel, even though Paul himself was in chains. You see God's sovereign hand orchestrating all of these events. 

To come full circle Paul asks Philemon to take back Onesimus as a personal favor to him, but also because Onesimus will bless Philemon and the church that met at his house. Up until the 3rd century almost all of the early churches met in houses. There would be a bishop of each city to oversee the house churches in that area. It reminds us that the church is not a building, but a gathering of believers for the sake of worship and mission. 

Rather than forcing Philemon and his house church do anyting, he urges them to be kind to Onesimus not only as a personal favor to him, but also because he is a true brother in Christ with them. Onesimus was now freed from the bondage of sin because of God's grace, and henceforth Philemon and his house should receive him back because of the same grace they have received in Christ.

This is a beautiful story of redemption. The word "redemption" was a word used for "slaves" when they were bought back and given their freedom. We have all been redeemed from our bondage to sin. We were once slaves to our sinful nature and now Christ has set us free. 

The grace and freedom we have received is the basis for the grace we should be willing to give to everyone no matter what they have done to us. We say in the Lord's prayer, "Forgive us for our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us!" 

There are plenty of Onemisus' out there, who are looking for the same redemption we have received freely in Christ. Paul had a heart for him and as he reached in love, Onesimus was set free forever. 

Who are the Onemisus' out there in your life? Maybe God could use you to be an apostle Paul in their life? Whatever the case, it should not be forced upon you, but as you have experienced God's grace it will feel like the right thing to do!