Philemon 1 Courage from prison

One man runs away and is found by Paul the Apostle and in turn follows Christ. The price is heavy for this man was now marked as a runaway slave punishable by death. Yet in the time this man becomes famous not for his life but for the owner who could have destroyed him and make him a public message for anyone else who seeks freedom from the shackles of the chain and the horror of death. Yet, Paul in his mastery of love for others, teaches this slave about the love of Christ and in so doing so he becomes the slave of Christ not of Philemon. But the story does not end there for Philemon receives his slave back accompanied by a letter from Paul. Paul’s love for Philemon crosses continents and water to touch his heart. He not only receives the letter but the runaway slave and his life is forever changed and we are as well.

There is a verse in Proverbs 15 that summarizes it all: He who regards reproof is prudent. Both Philemon and the runaway slave now we know as Onesimus has become not just legend but proof that God’s love is greater than any lesson we could find for it mirrors the love of Jesus for mankind.