Wading into Difficult Conversations

Issue #0017

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Philemon 1:3

The Book of Philemon is a letter from the Apostle Paul to Philemon and his family, asking them to accept their former slave, Onesimus, who stole from them and ran away, back into their home. Let that sink in. Paul is asking a family who has been robbed to accept the robber back into their home, to live with them again. Paul led both Philemon and Onesimus to the Lord. Philemon hosts the Colossian Church in his home. But this is a monumental request. It has the potential to unravel the family’s sense of security. It also has huge community implications. What will the neighbors think? Or the church members? Or Philemon’s own children? Paul’s request challenges their fears, pride, faith, and love. It goes beyond mere human understanding.