Philemon 1-7.30.21

SCRIPTURE

Philemon 1:9-10  yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.

OBSERVATION-What does it say?  

The author of this letter is clearly stated as none other than Paul.  It was written to Philemon, who is a slave owner and a member of the church in Colossae.  Paul, writing this letter on behalf of Onesimus, is making an appeal for his forgiveness.  Onesimus, a former slave of Philemon, “had apparently stolen from him and then run away, which under Roman law was punishable by death” (Zondervan NASB Study Bible, 1999).  In writing the letter, Paul took his time getting to the point, using the first portion of the letter to appeal to Onesimus’ lighter side.  After establishing rapport, Paul then makes his request, the forgiveness of wrong doing.

UNDERSTANDING-What does it mean?  

Most of my life, I have tried to be self-reliant.  I have always wanted to be the kind of person that doesn’t need to rely on anyone else.  There are, I’m sure, a number of deep seated reasons from my childhood, of which I should probably seek counseling for, that bring this feeling about.  But, regardless of where it comes from, more often than I should, I try to be the stoic who puts his nose to the grindstone and just continues on, instead of asking for help.

That was, until I found myself in a position at work where I was in need of an advocate.  In my field, wrongs doings are documented and not quickly forgotten.  So after committing a violation of policy, I accepted my punishment and attempted to carry on as if that were the end of it.  I quickly found out the importance of having an advocate.  As I attempted to put in for transfers, special assignments, and collateral duties, I was met with the same answer on many occasions, “We would like to have you, but you have discipline in your background.”  After hearing this for about the tenth time (I’m a slow learner), I realized the importance of having an advocate, someone to vouch for your personality, work ethic, and sometimes your remorse.

Paul was acting as Onesimus’ advocate, in much the same way Jesus acts as our advocate to our father.  Jesus, in his humility, suffered greatly on the cross to ensure our debt of sin was payed.  He then approaches The Father as our advocate, realizing that we cannot speak for ourselves and ensuring we have an audience with God.  

At work, I had to humble myself, change my pig headed ways, and ask for someone to vouch for me in order to move past a failure.  In life, I have to humble myself, change my pig headed ways, and ask Jesus to completely cover all of my sin.  In Micah 7:18-19 we read, “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.  You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”

LIFE APPLICATION  

Jesus, I want to run to you before it’s too late.  When I have made a wrong turn, help me to run to you who is quick to forgive and delights in mercy.  Help me to also act as an advocate for the lost and hurting, in order to help show the love that you have poured out on me.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqSz6URsPro

-Tyler Galloway