This is a personal letter from Paul the Apostle to Philemon, which came with the sending back of Onesimus, who once was Philemon's slave, but who ran away. He met Paul in Rome, and through his teaching became a Christian. Both Onesimus and Paul knew that in order to honor the Lord, Onesimus needed to go back and make things right with his previous master, who also was a believer in Christ. Paul wrote this letter to remind Philemon of the debt of faith he owed to Paul, and to also say that if necessary, Paul would pay the debt that Onesimus owed Philemon. As believers in Christ, we first have become reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus Christ when He died on the cross for our sins. Then many times the Lord calls us to reconcile, especially with other believers, and one way to do that is to remember our own sinfulness and how much we have been forgiven so we can forgive others. Lastly, sometimes the Lord calls us to be a mediator like Paul in reconciliation of two other believers, who will live in truth about their circumstances, and acknowledge to forgive and move forward in peace. May we hear from the Lord and be obedient in our calling of reconciliation until Christ comes again to take His church home.
