Read Philemon 1:1-25
No longer as a slave but more than a slave-a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Philemon 1:16 (NKJV)
It should not be a surprise that during the rule of Rome, the early Christian church dealt with the issue of slavery. The apostle Paul addresses the case of a runaway slave who became a believer of Christ and was returning to his Master, Philemon.
In Acts of the Apostles, E. G. White speaks of the Apostle Paul’s time in Rome and interactions with Onesimus: “a pagan slave who had wronged his master, Philemon, a Christian believer in Colosse and had escaped to Rome. Paul sought to relieve the poverty and distress of the wretched fugitive and then endeavored to shed the light of truth into his darkened mind. Onesimus listened to the words of life, confessed his sins, and was converted to the faith of Christ.” Onesimus was to return to his master with this letter. We find that the message urged Philemon to forgive and accept Onesimus as a brother in the Lord (Verse 16).
Paul further says: “If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me” (Verse 17). “How fitting an illustration of the love of Christ for the repentant sinner! The servant who had defrauded his master had nothing with which to make restitution. Jesus interposes between the sinner and God, saying, I will pay the debt. Let the sinner be spared; I will suffer in his stead” (Acts of the Apostles, 458).
In Christ, there is no differentiation between “Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free (Colossians 3:11). In our world, many are treated differently because of race, ethnicity, and social status among many other reasons. In Christ, we are called to love and forgive one another (1 John 2:6, 4:7,8). Today, like Philemon, we have an opportunity to be like Christ.
Prayer Focus: Walking in the character of Christ.
Prayer: Holy Father, we thank you that we can be set free from the chains of sin and bondage through Christ. Help us to love and forgive one another as Christ does. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thought for Today: Love Is The Character of God!
Contributor: Ms. Nichole Shaw (Florida, United States)
Screen Editor: Mr. Wensley Dias
Editor: Mr. Eliezer D. Rodrigue