Onesimus ran from Philemon’s house in search of freedom. As he ran, he stole from his former master. For you see, he thought he could find freedom his own way. He went to the great city of Rome, where many seeking to make a way for themselves had gone. But that you see became part of the problem. Was he homeless, downtrodden like the prodigal son? Or had he heard his Master Philemon speak of the apostle, so he left in search of him? Whichever the case we are not told apart from his being a useless deserter who became the one needed and beloved. But how did that happen?
Philemon had come to know Christ as his Savior. Indeed, it was his house where the Colossian church met for worship and praise. It had been through the preaching of Paul in Ephesus that this church was birthed. Perhaps Philemon visited Paul when he preached at Ephesus. Again, we are not told the details of Philemon’s conversion, except that Paul did remind him of his indebtedness to Paul. A debt more precious which had been wiped clean. As Paul wrote: (not to mention to you that you [g]owe to me even your own self as well). Philemon 1:19.
A Useless Deserter
10 I am appealing[x] to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become[y] during my imprisonment,[z] that is, Onesimus, 11 who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you[aa] and me. 12 I have sent[ab] him (who is my very heart)[ac] back to you. 13 I wanted to keep him with me so that he could serve me in your place[ad] during[ae] my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel.[af] 14 However,[ag] without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness.
So, Paul recognized Onesimus had been useless before. Probably Onesimus told Paul of all the stories of his life before. How else would Paul have known of his uselessness? Or maybe Philemon had spoken of him and wandered how as an owner could a Christian be righteousness in his treatment of slaves? Releasing them all would leave many without homes or food. However, it was that Paul knew of Onesimus as a useless deserter, he now appealed for Onesimus. Not based on who he was formerly, but who he became.
Paul refers to him as his child. Onesimus had found Jesus Christ, and that made all the difference in the world as to who Onesimus is. He who was a useless deserter, now was someone needed and beloved.
From Useless Deserter to Needed and Beloved
We see from Paul’s introduction that he loves Philemon a lot, recognizing his heart of love.
4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of your faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the [d]saints (God’s people). 6 I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective and powerful because of your accurate knowledge of every good thing which is ours in Christ. 7 For I have had great joy and comfort and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints (God’s people) have been refreshed through you, my brother Philemon (AMP).
Paul had no doubt, but that Philemon would be gracious and forgiving toward Onesimus; but he wrote the letter to Philemon anyway. Perhaps this was also his way of acknowledging the hurt Onesimus had caused Philemon. A hurt that Philemon would need to overcome to forgive Onesimus.
Transformed by grace, Onesimus became an incredible servant of Christ Jesus. As such he poured himself out in service to Paul as well. Paul could have just kept him there hidden; but he knew that would never do. What was broken must be healed first.
Onesimus had to return to the scene of his crime and seek forgiveness of Philemon. Furthermore, Philemon needed to forgive him from his own heart of grace, not because Paul asked him to.
Words of Wisdom, learned by grace.
Paul, gently reminded Philemon of his own human chains. He introduced himself as “1 Paul, a prisoner [for the sake] of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed)” Philemon 1 (AMP).
He then later wrote “8 Therefore [based on these facts], though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is appropriate, 9 yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner [for the sake] of Christ Jesus—
In other words, I know your heart and I could have just sent Onesimus back. You would have done the right thing. Yet, I would rather appeal to you one heart to another. I do not command you as an apostle, rather I plead as an old man, weathered by life, and imprisoned for Christ with chains about my feet.
You, before Christ was chained to a life devoid of God. Remember from whence Christ saved you. Then and only then can you truly forgive and love because He first loved us. He forgave us of more than we could ever imagine. On a rugged cross, He died that I might live. My freedom He bought and that is what I must remember.
So as Onesimus returned as a servant to Philemon, he also returned as a spiritual brother in Christ. That transforms their relationship completely.
Concluding thoughts:
Whom do you need to forgive? What relationship needs to be rebuilt? What about at work? Do you perform your job always to its maximum ability, “heartily as unto the Lord?”
Do you ever feel useless? Where ever you might be, or whatever it is you might be feeling, know this God is the ultimate transformer of your life. He is all that you need.
When Satan whispers in your ears that you are a useless deserter with no purpose, remember this. “There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:1. Then Romans 8 ends with the truth. “Nothing can separate from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.” Everything in between is the Holy Spirit transforming us into the image of Christ. Every tear, every difficulty, every sorrow is allowed by His mighty hand only as He knows it can be used to transform you into the image of Christ. That is why Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for Good to those who love Him.”
We bow humbly before His mighty hand of Grace, knowing He is our joy, our hope. He makes us His Beloved child upon whom He bestows His Glory, redeeming us to Himself.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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DISCLOSURES
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New English Translation (NET)
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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