Philemon

How far will you go in your faith to forgive someone who has hurt you?  That is one of the questions evident in the complex letter from Paul to Philemon.  I know that I don’t fully grasp the issues because I live in a culture without legal slavery.(Not that I desire a return of that evil institution)  But I can see that Philemon has been hurt; legally, emotionally (because of the acceptance of slavery in the culture), and financially.    Paul sets up the reconnection by convincing Onesimus to voluntarily returned to Philemon; humbly exposing his life to his master.  Paul had already completed the work of forgiveness in the heart of Onesimus.  Any abuse or hurt that Onesimus had received was hung on the cross of Christ and the slave had to act accordingly.  The challenge of Paul’s letter was for Philemon to respond likewise.  We too must turn over our offenses; received and given, to Jesus where they are crucified with him.

Stuart