12/26/2016
It has been a while since I have posted anything. Part of that is because I wasn't sure what to post about. Tonight, I was thinking about past holidays and how I have spent them. There were too many Christmas' behind bars. Most of those were because of my slavery to my self-made gods of addiction and behaviors. I happened to be reading Philemon in the New Testament and remembered a paper I wrote about slavery, Whether behind bars or not, I still had masters' to contend with. Choosing Christ as my master is what helped change my life so much that I have been able to stop spending time behind bars. This past year, at the age of 63, I celebrated not being locked up at all for the past ten years. It was the first time I have ever gone that long without going to jail. I had run-ins with the law, sure; but I didn't go to jail. Let me share with you my insight from Philemon.
Freedom Thru Philemon
During one of Pauls three missionary trips, he converted a man called Philemon. Philemon heard the gospel and became a prominent person in the church. He was already a successful businessman, having slaves is a sign of prosperity. As the church meetings went from home to home, people of the community got to know each other, and this helped to spread the Gospel even more. By being peaceful, curious, polite and joyful while meeting in different places, it was easier to avoid persecution. The Early Church did not have any leverage politically, or much of anything else. Paul was following his own teachings of getting the inside straighten out and let it work itself to the outside.
Paul, being the traveler he was, converted Philemon and must have gotten to know him fairly well. We can tell this by the salutations of Philemon (vs. 1) “dear friend and fellow worker” as well as mentioning his “Love for all his holy people and faith in the Lord Jesus.” (vs. 5), and calling Philemon a "partnership with us in the faith"(vs. 6 & 17).
With Philemon being such a prominent leader in the church and having been taught by Paul, he should have already known about the forgiving nature of God and would have enumerated on the teachings of Paul and considered what to do once Onesimus returns if he returns. Onesimus’s actions would have been a shock to Philemon, and the rest of the community
Slavery was not like what we hear about with the American slaves of recent history. There are several reasons as to why Onesimus was a slave. He could be paying off a personal debt, or one for someone else. He may have contracted himself out as a slave for a variety of situations, “the middle class of previous times had become homeless, foodless mobs in the cities, often worse off than slaves, who at least had job security.” (Gundry, 2011, p. 53) Onesimus knew the part of the Hebrew Law that says, “If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand them over to their master. Let them live among you wherever they like, and in whatever town they choose. Do not oppress them. (Deuteronomy 15,16,) (NIV, 2011). However, “which under Roman law was punishable by death.” (NIV, 2011, p. 2059) Now, this would suggest that there was a problem with Onesimus' treatment as a slave, for why else would he have run away? The way that Paul wrote the letter, this idea is not indicated. Paul writes as if to say he does not know why Onesimus ran away (15).
Having to convince this slave to return to his master, with the possibility of being resold, or face death, would have taken a very skillful person, like Paul. To help Onesimus with his courage to go back, Paul sent him along with Tychicus to Colossae where Tychicus was delivering a letter from Paul. Some sources say that Tychicus was the pastor in Colossae and Philemon was a prominent member. (see notes Col. 4:7) (KJV, 1988). Still, it was Pauls hope that Onesimus would have the “Godly sorrow that brings repentance that leads to salvation. . .”(2 Cor. 7:10) (NIV, 2011). Evidently, Paul sensed that Onesimus had obtained that point in his spirituality and would continue to do so when he got back to Philemon.
Philemon, being a leader in the church and such, needs to set the example. With the new teachings of Paul about how the scriptures having been fulfilled through Jesus Christ, and the concept of slavery being a part of Hebrew history for centuries, it would be difficult to discern how to react to this situation. Philemon had a lot on his mind. With a run-a-way slave, missing money, and the church pastor out of town, Philemon surely must have prayed on what to do. Once again, Paul comes to the rescue.
By way of the letter to the Colossae Church, a different letter appears and is addressed to Philemon. In it, Paul is telling of how Onesimus has received Christ into his heart and is confirmed into the church. Paul asks Philemon to accept Onesimus as a Christian brother and to place on his (Pauls) bill the cost of whatever damage was caused by Onesimus. Paul also mentions that Onesimus has been a great help to him and wanted to have him back, but sending him back to Philemon first is the right thing to do. Paul does not use the verses in Deuteronomy where technically says Onesimus did not have to go back to Philemon but did because of the encouragement of Paul. What it boils down to is that Paul wants Philemon to forget about the loss of the money and count it all joy that we have a new Christian brother. (Verses 8-16). So now, when Onesimus is back in the house of Philemon, he is not considered a slave, but a brother in Christ. Here, “Paul is implicitly undermining the institution of slavery” see notes (NIV, 2011, p. 2062). Theoretically, Onesimus would be more willing to do the task that assigned to him because now he is a free man. We also know Paul is going to preach, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ” (Col. 3:23,24) (NIV, 2011). In chapter 4:1 Paul also tells the masters to treat their slaves right.
In a practical situation for today, it may seem hard to figure how to utilize the terms of masters and slaves. Especially with certain races being so sensitive about those words, masters and slaves. We have several references to those things that people use to let themselves be distracted from God, Church, Bible Studies, and such; referring to them as our new masters. Names such as my job, my family, various addictions, all of which are making slaves of people on a daily basis. The things just mentioned, though, are all part of those things fitting the categories of "- the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-" (Jn 2:16) (NIV, 2011). These three things will always lead to sin and a distraction away from God. Now, to realize that the people I am going to be dealing with are under these types of masters, (for they have enslaved themselves to them), I will want to express to them a New Master and freedom from their slavery, regardless of what it is. I can teach them how they may become the masters over their addictions, and out of love, become a slave to Christ. By maintaining your current position in life, people will be aware of the change in you and want to know what is this new joy you have found. Now it becomes the believers turn to guide someone to Christ. The importance of staying where you are, for now, is how to reach all walks of life. If a person finds a way to be freed from their slavery to sin and the world, by all means, do so. When setting new goals in life, chose which is more important, pleasing the flesh and they eyes now or pleasing the spirit forever through all eternity.
Those that are already pleasing to the sight of God and are motivated by the activities of the church must also be even more willing to help guide those that need guidance. Through patience and understanding, bringing in those that have false gods, i.e. addictions, pride, and lust, and helping them to realize they are self-made slaves to them, will help break down the barriers people have created as to what the church really is.
A delusion of what some people see is the church as a place of rules and hypocrites that are waiting to look down on a person. Churches may set up programs that appear to want to help people, but to the outsider, are not sincere. There is a delicate balance between staying within the guidelines of the Bible and being open enough to encourage people to come in. Perhaps that is why Jesus went to them instead of waiting for them to come to the synagogue. In essence, then, I am proposing to teach people that it is okay for now that you have problems that need to be addressed, we all do. Give us a chance, (the church), to show you a way (The Way), to overcome those problems and enter into freedom from your slavery to the freedom of slavery for Christ.
I see this pattern in a lot of Pauls writings. Quietly become a Christian and slowly let the new Spirit you have change you. Romans 12:1 tells us, "Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (NIV, 2011). First Paul tugs on the heart of the people, gets them thinking and helps them to see the "truth." Then, little by little, spread the gospel to your neighbors and work in small church groups. The Early Church was still having problems with Judaizers and other religions. Today, each individual needs to work from the inside out so the change may be complete as the whole body is consumed with the Holy Spirit.
I believe Paul wanted to use the same technique for bringing the slaves into the church. Not wanting a disturbance, let alone a riot break out because of Onesimus’ return, without condemnation, Paul ask for Onesimus back as a brother in Christ and as a servant. The style that Paul used, of being humble and asking for Philemon to decided is useful in many applications. Paul could have ordered Philemon to accept Onesimus and return him to Paul, but he did not. I have seen bosses use this technique with employees all the time. Asking instead of ordering works most of the time. Utilizing this technique in evangelism is effective also.
Paul probably saved the expansion of Christianity by preventing another upturn or disturbance at this time. The letter was written just before or after the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. which reminds me of the tension that must have been in the air, regarding Christians, and Jews. Therefore, "slow spiritual progress could break down similar walls today" Walls such as disbelief, addiction, past experiences causing separation, etc. With such tools, evangelism stands a better chance of survival, yesterday and today.
I hope this helped at least one person deal with their imprisonment, whether behind bars or not. Any comments or discussions are welcomed.
Keith Luton
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