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Philemon: On the basis of love
Welcome to the weekly lift number 83, Tuesday 9th November 2021, as we continue in thankfulness through the New Testament. Today we look at Paul's letter to Philemon - "anything for love".
In the words of the rock artist Meatloaf:
"And I would do anything for love,
I'd run right into hell and back
I would do anything for love,
I'll never lie to you and that's a fact"
Plenty of songs have been written about love. Plenty of songs say lots of things about what we would or wouldn't do for love. But Paul takes it to the next level.
He writes to his friend and fellow worker, Philemon, from his prison cell. And he writes with thanks for Philemon's love:
Philemon 4-7
4I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
This is a close relationship. A lot of trusts. No lies here. A partnership of joy and love and refreshment. What a great compliment - you have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people. Amazing. But Paul is leading into something. Now he has established their relationship, based on love and trust, Paul asks Philemon to do something "on the basis of love":
Philemon 8-11
8Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9yet 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— 10that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
Paul writes about Philemon's servant, Onesimus. Onesimus had run away from his boss, Philemon, possibly stealing from him when he left. But then he had found faith in Jesus. He had met Jesus, and met Paul, and Paul appeals to Philemon, on the basis of love, to accept Onesimus back. Forgiven. And as a brother in Christ. Paul even offers to personally restore anything Onesimus may have stolen.
In thankfulness for partnership and brotherhood, Paul pleads most personally in verse 17:
Philemon 17
17So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
What bold words! Accept him as you accept me. Welcome him as you welcome me. Paul stakes his reputation on Onesimus being a changed man. Trustworthy, reliable, and as his name "Onesimus" literally means, "useful".
And on what basis does he appeal to Philemon? On the basis of love. As a brother in Christ.
This is something we should be able to rely on - the trust of a brother or sister in Christ. It is certainly not something to take advantage of, and not a trust to be abused - but one we should value highly. This is the key to healthy, restored relationships under God. Trust based on love and relationship.
Paul is committed to helping Philemon understand how the gospel has changed Onesimus. And what a great joy that is! Seeing a life changed so significantly is an amazing work of God and one that should bring great thankfulness.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for changed lives. Thank you for changing my life. Thank you for changing the lives of others I know, through your gospel of grace. Please grow my relationships with my brothers and sisters at church. Help us to grow in love for one another, and out of that love, with that love as a base, may we grow in our trust and devotion to one another, for Jesus' glory. Amen.