Philemon Ch. 1

Recurrent Thought

Conflicts in life are always inevitable and unavoidable. Maturing devoted Christ-followers are distinguished by their investment in growing the knowledge, wisdom, and skills of handling relational conflicts

To be a devoted Christ-follower means allowing the ways and desires of Christ to become entrenched in our lives. This means allowing His words and commands to take center stage in our lives. The basic way to know that we are his followers is that we obey and follow him. Devoted Christ Followers allow their lives to be the studio and playground through which they play and practice the word of God. The Book of Philemon is one book that shows some of the practical ways we are to live the Christ Life.

Background

Giving the Background is essential for we must understand what the text meant there and then before we apply it our lives here and now:

• Paul wrote this letter while in Prison in Rome. It is written to Philemon, an individual, and the early fathers put the scriptures together, they deemed the message essential befitting the universal church. The Church was started by Epaphras who at this time is with Paul in Rome. This is a one-chapter letter with 25 verses. But its shortness should not fool you. It is witty in its written language and explosive in its message.
• Philemon was Paul’s son in the spirit and one of the leaders in the Church at Colosse. Paul does not use the language where he places the credentials of his apostleship. He calls himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ and calls Philemon as a fellow Worker (verses 1)
• It is believed that Philemon was the husband of Apphia and father to Archippus (verse 2); Furthermore, it is believed that Epaphras left Archippus as a caretaker pastor.
• Philemon was a dedicated well-to-do noble person who also refreshed missionaries from time to time (verse 7). Like many well-to-do persons in the Roman Empire, Philemon owned slaves. One of them was Onesimus who ran away after stealing something from him
• The letter was carried by Tychicus who also carried the letter for the Colossians. Tychicus was accompanied by Onesimus who is actually the center of this letter.
• Now Onesimus is in Rome and he finds Jesus through the ministry of Paul. This is puts in a delicate situation. He now writes a letter to Philemon to not only ask him to forgive Onesimus but also receive him as a brother in the Lord
• The main purpose of the epistle, was to plead with Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, that he would receive him and be reconciled to him
• This letter has three verses in the introduction and three in the conclusion. Both the intro and conclusion mention three names.
• As in most epistles Paul Prays for the recipients of the mail before he tackles the main issue for the letter.

This book apart from many other truths demands that Christ-followers capture the following Four highlights of handling relational conflicts

1. Acknowledge the Demand for Forgiveness and Reconciliation when conflict happens 

   • When Conflicts happen, take responsibility to handle them. It is understandable some conflicts may demand the support of others to sort them
   • What Paul asked Philemon to do was not normal in those days. In normal circumstances, He was asking a Master to Forgive a Slave. Philemon had a right to discipline harshly.
   • Forgiveness is a voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense. It includes letting go of negative emotions such as anger, revenge, or desire to punish the offender. 
   • Reconciliation: is to restore friendly relations or state with others. It is possible that one can forgive another without necessarily resetting to the original position they had before
   • Bitterness (emotional) is an extreme grudge, hurt, and hatred towards a person who offended you.
   • When we don’t forgive we remain bitter; but when we do, we are freed to grow better in life. We can win without being resentful
   • God has the ability to turn the best out of the worst scenario: Blessings from Curses;
   • Forgiveness is the grace that grants others the capacity to reset where they failed. Esau reset his life; Jacob reset his life: they both Won.
   • Forgiveness is easier when we see God helping us. It is practicing the virtues of God; Jacob declares that to be forgiven is to see God (Gen. 33: 8-10)
   • Leave it in the hands of God HE knows how to get the best out of failures. Acts 21: 27-32; Romans 8:28.
   • The Attitude that God demands of us is to forgive those who offend us and hopefully reconcile with them.
2. Understand the Essence of Equality and the Power of Koinonia (Partnership Gal. 3: 26-29; Col. 3:11)
   • With this letter Paul brings to the heart of relationships in the Kingdom of God: People are Sons and Daughters.
   • People in the Kingdom of God don’t come with meritorious, cultural, and economic status but as equal under God. They are equal and all share in the need of forgiveness from God (Gal. 3: 26-29)
   • Paul is persuading Philemon to forgive Onesimus: however, he wants him to go beyond mere forgiveness but reconciliation to a higher standard making him a social brother
   • Kingdom of God Followers who end up in personal conflicts do well when they recognize that they are actually partners through the grace of Koinonia. Paul insisted that Philemon needed to do this for they were partners: They shared in the koinonia of God
   • “The size of the person is more important than the size of the problem” (John Maxwell
   • In the Messiah God was reconciling the Whole World to himself and not counting their sins to them,
   • In this regard Paul is using a substitutionary concept of Jesus to himself (2 Cor. 5: 19). To be in between and ensure that Onesimus is reconciled to Philemon.
   • Understand that Paul does not encourage Slavery; neither does the Church.
   • Paul’s demands on how believing slave owners should treat slaves and in Philemon in particular is revolutionary in itself. He demanded that Philemon should regard Onesimus as his brother
3. Grow the Wisdom for Handling Personal Conflicts
   • Paul challenges his son, his disciple to make amends in what he did to Philemon
   • Paul is seriously engaged in the restitution of His Disciple
   • True Discipleship includes sacrificing for the personal and relational healing of your disciples
   • Paul is working as an Intercessor on behalf of Onesimus
   • As a discipler, You have to invest in the knowledge and wisdom of handling conflicts. Life is essentially conflict-laden.
   • One quickest ways to increase your influence is your increased ability to handle conflict.
4. Understand we oscillate between two Positions in relation to Personal Offenses
   • We usually find ourselves that at times we are like Onesimus needing forgiveness and at other times we are like Philemon needing to offer forgiveness to others.
   • At times we are in a position of Onesimus, where we have offended others. The recourse is to quickly seek forgiveness. The Bible states when we have we ought to ask for forgiveness when we offend others. (Math. 5: 23 Ought against You Romans 12:15)
   • At times we are in the position of Philemon when others have wronged us or, betrayed us. The admonition is that you forgive those who have offended
   • Sometimes we suffer deep and serious offenses. It may not even be possible to talk about it. The truth is that for you to be free you have to forgive.  Many times Freedom comes through Forgiveness. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven (Col. 3:13 Eph. 4: 32)
   • See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled Hebrews 12: 15

Altar Time

• Lord Heal me through Forgiveness
• Lord increase my understanding, wisdom and skills to handle personal