Philemon 1

Our buddy, Philemon, was a member of the church in Colosse when Paul wrote this letter (a very short letter). Paul is mainly writing to him because Philemon's slave has run away. His name was Onesimus. It seems that this slave ran all the way to Rome and visited Paul, where Onesimus was converted to the Christian faith. In which, Paul pleas Philemon to forgive him for running away or any other wrong he has done.

"10I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and me. 12I am sending him -- who is my very heart --back to you...14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. 15Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a while was that you might have him back for good -- 16no loner as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother."

These verses show a lot. It shows that Paul is very conscious of Philemon's feelings, and know what is important to him. Paul won't do anything to compromise his relationship with Philemon, but he will do everything he can to preserve Christianity. This also shows that Paul believes that we should be always looking at God's work, even through the fog of a bad situation. He thinks that Onesimus' act was for a reason, because the result brought this slave to Christ. Nothing can be bad about that.

Theme: Forgive quickly and look for God's work everywhere.