“Oct 7, 2024 - Appealing or Commanding”

Sunday, October 06, 2024

Appealing or Commanding

Reading:  Philemon 8-14
    
    Paul inches closer to his purpose in this letter by gently broaching the topic.  He wants Philemon to receive back his slave Onesimus and welcome him as a brother in Christ.  “Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment”(Philemon 8-10).  Paul admits that he has the authority and boldness to order Philemon to receive Onesimus, yet he does not want to address him this way.  Instead, he appeals to Philemon.  And what an appeal!  Paul is an “old man” and a “prisoner also for Christ Jesus” and now thinks of himself as Onesimus’ father.  “I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart”(Philemon 12).  Philemon cannot refuse Onesimus without devastating Paul.  

    Paul also describes his conundrum after Onesimus’ conversion.  “I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord”(Philemon 13-14).  Onesimus was useful to Paul, helping him do his apostolic work while limited by his imprisonment.  So he considered just keeping him with him, presuming on Philemon’s kindness.  Yet this would have forced Philemon to do a good thing.  Paul wants to “do nothing without your consent.”  Good works are not good if we have no choice.

    Paul is walking a fine line here.  He wants Philemon to do the right thing, yet he also wants Philemon to choose to do the right thing.  Christians do what is good because we want to please God, emulate Jesus, and bless others.  This means that we belong in an all-volunteer army.  Even when it requires difficult things (like forgiving those who have hurt us) or costly things (like our money and time), we respond to the need because we care, not because we are afraid.  Good works are not good if we have no choice.

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One Thing to Think About: Do I do things for others without being forced to?

One Thing to Pray For:  A heart to do right in all situations
 

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