A WINDOW INTO TRUE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

                                                                           Philemon 1-21

Anyone who reads the life of Paul the apostle will be struck with one thing – the power of the Gospel to change lives. In his introduction to the book of Romans, he said

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16, AV)
Paul’s life was dramatically changed. Through him God changed and is still changing millions of lives. The Gospel of Christ is the Gospel of grace. It is by this powerful tool called the grace of God that Paul was saved. It is by the grace of God that anyone else would be saved.
In the letter to Philemon, there are three prominent people:

(i)                  Paul – the PRISONER OF CHRIST

(ii)                Philemon – the PHILANTROPIST OR PHILECCLESIA

(iii)               Onesimus – the PROFITABLE SLAVE

 1.       From Persecutor To Prisoner Of Christ and Prolific Apostle (philem.1:1; Rom.1:1; Tit.1:1)

Only in three verses of his epistles did he refer to himself as a prisoner of Christ (Philem.1; Tit.1:1; Phil.1:1; Rom.1:1). Ten times elsewhere in his epistle he referred to himself as “Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ”. (Rom.1:1; 1Cor.1:1; 9:1; 2Cor.1:1; Gal.1:1; Eph.1:1; Col.1:1; 1Tim.1:1; 2Tim.1:1; Tit.1:1).

Before he got there what was his life like? Here him in Philippians 3:4-7.

“Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” (Philippians 3:4–7, AV)

“I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.” (Acts 22:3–5, AV)

Who was this Gamaliel under whom Saul studied?
“When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.” (Acts 5:33–35, AV)
“But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” (Acts 5:39, AV).
Saul persecuted Christians and put many of them into prison and some to death.  When Stephen was stoned, he was there as a witness (Acts 7:58; 8:1).
But one day, on the Road to Damascus, while he was still fuming with threatenings and hatred for the new Church, he encountered Jesus. It was a life changing encounter. It permanently changed his life and ministry. He became a servant of Jesus Christ, yes an apostle, a prisoner of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:1-20). We have all been blessed by teachings. We are challenged by his commitment to Christ. Millions of lives have been saved through his ministry and gospel of Christ he preached. He told Herod Agrippa,

“At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:” (Acts 26:13–19, AV)

Saul became Paul the apostle. He was a consummate soul winner. He carried the Gospel of Christ to the gentiles. And in the process he was severely persecuted according to the word of Jesus to him. Philemon was his convert. Onesimus was his convert. Timothy was his convert just to name a few. The Gospel is truly the power of God unto salvation to all who believe.

The Gospel we preach today must be a gospel that changes lives. That Gospel is not just social gospel - economic inequality, poverty, alcoholism, crime, racial tensions, slums, bad hygiene, child labor, poor schools, and the danger of war. All these have their proper use when handled properly. But they will not produce heart transformation. A change of heart is wrought only by the Holy Spirit simply through the agency of the word of God. This was the gospel that Paul preached.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;” (1 Corinthians 15:1–3, AV)

 2.       Apostolic Persuasion  Of Philemon Unto Good Works (Philem.4-12)

Philemon whose name means affectionate was a true convert. His kindness and generosity refreshed the hearts of the believers in his Church. He even had a church in his house. In the early days believers were persecuted and did not have any church buildings. There is evidence that they attended the Sabbath day and then on Sunday they gathered together in houses for fellowship and breaking of bread. Philemon was a generous Christian who helped fellow Christians. Philemon must have been an affluent man, a man of substance because he was able to keep slaves, of who Onesimus was one.

Onesimus ran away but we do not know the circumstances of his flight. He must have fled to the capital city of Rome where he met Paul. Paul, full of the Holy, Spirit preached Christ to Onesimus and he got saved. Then he began to serve Paul.

3.       Proper Perspective Of Slavery In The Bible (Philem.1:13-21; Deut.23:15-16)

This letter of Paul to Philemon is one of the best practical examples of Christian character in the first century. So Onesimus having served Paul for some time after his conversion could have continued serving him according to the OT which required that runaway slaves be protected.

“Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee: He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him.” (Deuteronomy 23:15–16, AV).

But Roman law required runaway slaves to be returned to their owners.

In this letter Paul expertly argued for the freedom of Onesimus, whom he was returning to his former master. He could have kept him according to OT law, but now he and Philemon serve the same Lord, he decided to ask for permission. He pleaded for Onesimus freedom. He declared that he was already free in Christ. He should be received no longer as a slave but as brother in Christ.
In a similar way we should be advocate for our brothers and sisters, helping them, supporting them, refreshing their heart and making life generally more pleasant for them. That was the same thing that Jesus did during His earthly ministry. He preached to people, but he also provided for them.

Let us learn about true Christian love, and fellowship and them go and do likewise.
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12, AV)
 

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34–35, AV)

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” (Hebrews 10:24, AV)
The love of God is shown practically in what Paul was asking Philemon to do. All the apostles understood Christ's teaching about love and put it into practice. This kind of love is a sign that you have the new life in Christ, that the gospel has changed you.
Love is a law, an internal law, the law of Christ.

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, AV)

“Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” (Galatians 6:6, AV)

“For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:8–10, AV)

I believe that Philemon took Onesimus as a brother from that time onwards. Whom Christ has set free cannot be bound again. Brethren, let us live and walk practically in love. Love one another.