The Good Man Called to Release the Slave

I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and faith towards the the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ. For I have great and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. Philemon 1:4-7

Paul is setting the tone to now approach Philemon about the liberation and forgiveness of his former slave, Onesimus, who had taken off abruptly and taken his owners possessions with him.

It is hard to imagine such a good man having a slave in the first place, yet this was the culture back then and even though Paul was for the emancipation of the slaves, the choice was with the master, not Paul. Paul was approaching Philemon as a friend on behalf of one he called a son.

This is a delicate matter and Paul handles it well. Being a man of such stature, to endorse the slave, whilst endorsing he master, was in fact equalising them as brothers in Christ. However, the choice to accept lay with each and at this time Philemon is the one affronted and Onesimus has returned to face his former master and ask forgiveness.

Always, when someon comes on the behalf of another and does it with such grace, you would be drawn to listen and hear with deeper ears, the ears of the heart. What is God saying?

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