The letter to Philemon is an interesting letter because it touches on one of the major moral issues of human history: the issue of slavery. Onesimus was a runaway slave belonging to Philemon who was subsequently converted under Paul. Paul writes to Philemon to receive Onesimus back with grace as a brother in the Lord. It is interesting to note that neither Jesus nor Paul ever openly fought to abolish the institution of slavery itself. That Christians eventually did so in later history was an important step in the application of the Gospel message to society. But Jesus and Paul show that there is a priority for moving toward social change. There are opportune times for top-down social change, but these times are only created because people’s consciences are being awakened. Jesus and Paul worked to see people’s hearts transformed. Already in this one case of Onesimus we can see how the conversion of both Philemon and Onesimus completely changed their relationship. The result was that, while Onesimus was still a slave, yet he would be treated as a brother. If you want to do something to change the world, then do something that leads to inner change in yourself and others. God works change from the inside out. There will be opportune times for social activism, but every time is an opportunity for inward change. Let God transform you and become an agent for change that you and others may THRIVE!
Ask God to give you an opportunity to be a positive influence on someone today.
Read Philemon
