If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. Philemon 1:17-20

Again we read the Apostle Paul continues to plead with the Church to receive Onesimus back as a brother in Christ. It’s believed that Onesimus stole from Philemon and then fled to Rome to hide. It’s there when he had a divine meeting with the Apostle Paul and gave his life to Christ. However even as God is willing to forgive us, people are not so easy or willing to forgive, including the Church.

The Apostle Paul as the Shepherd of the Church, basically becomes the mediator between Onesimus and the Church, Paul is basically saying this “If you consider me a brother in Christ, then receive him (Onesimus) as a brother in Christ” (v17) Paul is vouching for Onesimus, remember Paul was in the same predicament when he first got saved, we were in the same predicament when we got saved, don’t forget the grace and mercy God has allotted to you!

Paul even goes one step further “anything he (Onesimus) has done wrong or owes you, put in on my account” (v18) Paul is saying “if your holding a grudge against Onesimus because he stole money or property from you, don’t worry about it, I will personally repay you.” We know when it comes between people and their money, things get very personal. But Paul is pleading with them , let it go, I’ll make everything right.

Now as we read this interaction, can you imagine being in Onesimus shoes, having an Apostle of Christ, fighting for you, standing for you, even when you don’t deserve it. Being totally redeemed and justified, even when we don’t deserve it, this is a true demonstration of the gospel, of the grace and mercy of God being demonstrated by the Holy Spirit.

This whole interaction reminds me of our salvation story, we were Onesimus, we were guilty sinners but Christ not only forgave and redeemed us before our Heavenly Father, but Christ is our mediator, and justifies us before the assembly of saints. We were washed by the blood of Jesus and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, this is our salvation story!

So just like the Prodigal Son came back home, we can also repent and be forgiven by Christ, come back home to our Father in Heaven, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name Amen

I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? Philemon 12:16

As we continue to work through the epistle to Philemon, we see the Apostle Paul continue to praise Onesimus. Remember he was the slave of Philemon, who actually stole from him and then fled to Rome where he ran into Paul. Onesimus became saved by the preaching of Paul and the Holy Spirit, now the Apostle Paul is ready to send his brother back to the Church , to serve there

These words really jump out at me as we ponder the text, the Apostle Paul says to Onesimus “no longer a slave/servant, but above a slave/servant, a beloved brother” This can be taken in a literal and spiritual sense, Onesimus is no longer a slave to Philemon, but now through Christ he is a beloved brother. But also in a spiritual sense, as before Christ we were all slaves to sin, but Jesus Christ has set us free!

As the Apostle Paul also said “You have been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:18) As The Lord Jesus said “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36) We should all be able to relate to Onesimus, most of you will say “but I was never a slave to anyone” this was the same response the Jews gave to Jesus. However when we understand our spiritual depravity, we understand we were all slaves to sin. But Jesus Christ has set us free , and we are now a Child of God

As the Apostle Paul says to the Church regarding Onesimus “Receive Him” Why? Because he has been washed by the blood of the lamb, he has been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, he is a new creation in Christ. He is not the same person he used to be, we should remember this as the Church. Receive your brothers and sisters in Christ, the ones our Heavenly Father called. Remember you were once a slave also, but you have been set free by your Lord and God Jesus Christ

Another thing to ponder, the Apostle Paul says “perhaps he departed for awhile for this purpose” (v15) God will use what was meant for our destruction for His glory, we all have pasts, but God has called us at this moment and time for His glory and for the purpose of the Church, you have been set free in Christ, no longer a slave but a brother and sister Amen!