Thank you Onesimus

It makes me smile to read Philemon, although at the back of that sweet situation is the shadow of Paul's coming martyrdom.

I agree with you, Tami, that Paul handles conflict with skill and agility, attorney-like. He also manages to inflict a little bit of guilt in there, too, more like a Jewish Mama!

Did Philemon and company take Onesimus back, which would have been good, or let Paul keep him as a companion, which would have been even better?

P.S. Thanks to everyone for the prayers for my brother-in-law.

After reading this a few times, as well as the footnotes it began to sink in that Paul is requesting , not asking that he accept Onesimus, Philemon’s runaway slave as a brother in Christ, and to forgive him of any thing that he may have had stolen from him. Even offering to pay it himself. Paul is accepting of Onesimus despite his "position" in life. We as Christians must strive to do the same, and be accepting and forgiving of our brothers and sisters as well. Even when we feel that we may of been wronged. By sending Onesimus back he is having him address the situation, working it out to the benefit of everyone. A reminder for all of us......acceptance and forgiveness.

Mark

It was God's grace all over Paul. Paul humble himself to the Lord. James 4:10-11. Paul words & heart were loaded with the Fruit of The Spirit Galatians 5:22-23. We(me too) must all remember to utilize God's grace not our grace. Remember God is still the pilot not the copilot. Oh so many times I fail at doing his way choosing to do it my way. Now I'm learning to take an inhaling approach exhaling out w/prayer. We(me too) think about the outcome before reacting. A person would listen,and be more applicable if kind words are utilize.
A Godly heart mixed in with God's word can uproot the world.

Paul I think is using Jesus' example. Jesus shed His blood and died on the cross at calvary so that we can have salvation and our sins forgiven. He did not do this because we deserve it but by His grace and love for us. Who are we then, not to forgive others? By His mercy and grace Jesus did all these things for us. It really hurts when at Church we are asked to share the peace and someone tries not to make eye contact with another person with whom he/she does not care to share the peace. Let us resolve our conflict first because others notice these things and wonder "Is this really Christianity?" We must be good examples for the Lord so that others will see our good works and glorify God. Let us heed our Lord's Prayer "and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us" and Paul's request to Philemon concerning Onesimus so we too can be true followers of our Lord and Saviour.
Let us pray for each other in 2010 for God's guidance, mercy and grace.

I am commenting on the reading for 1/1/10. It is amazing that God loves us so much that he let his son pay for our sins. He did not do it because he wanted attention, he did it because he loved us that much. He saved us from the darkness that we were in. It is a choice for us to believe in him and follow him daily.

I think Paul handled this situation with dignity and grace. He realized that he was on in years and he needed to send Philemon away from him so he could do the Lord's work. As much as Paul wanted to keep him with him, he knew that it would not be best.