Chains of "Must-Haves"

My Child Onesimus

(Philemon 8-10)

[8] Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required,

Paul had a purpose in writing this letter to Philemon, and it was more than just getting Philemon to grant freedom to Onesimus, the good man's runaway slave. The apostle who wrote this letter is the same one who said to the Corinthian church, “If you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” Paul did want to secure a man's freedom, but more than that, he wanted to glorify the Lord.

Therefore, not only did the result of freedom matter, but the method by which that freedom came mattered. Paul was an apostle. He had church authority as one of the special hand-chosen ambassadors of Jesus, selected by the risen Lord. He could have just commanded Philemon to do what he wanted him to do, and Philemon would have obeyed. But Paul wanted both Onesimus and Philemon to be free.

[9] yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—

This way of freedom would glorify the God who freely served us as a slave of the Almighty, and who calls us now to offer up our bodies freely as living sacrifices. The appeal is not made to the power of hierarchy, but to love. Love for Philemon. Love for Paul from Philemon. Love from both men for Jesus. Love from Jesus for them.

The King of Love who died on the cross for our sins is our only Lord of lords. Every other god must go away from the throne of our hearts. “One thing you lack,” Jesus said to the rich young ruler. What did he lack? Jesus. That's why Jesus said “... and follow Me.” But first all other gods had to be cleared away. In that young man's case that meant selling his possessions. What does it mean for me? Put away all thoughts of fame or glory among men? Forget about who will say nice things about me when I die? Stop demanding that my kids or my wife think of me as the person they love above all?

I need to get rid of every chain that would hold back my heart from full devotion to the Lord, and so do you. Only then can we have in fullest measure the one thing we need and the one thing we lack in fullness. Him.

We do have Him, and He will not let us go. Maybe it is best to say this: He has us. Paul wanted Philemon to be what he himself was, a free prisoner of the Lord, freely giving all to Christ, even this man, Onesimus.

[10] I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.

This runaway slave had become a new man in Jesus Christ. Who was the midwife and father? The apostle Paul, Philemon's friend and brother in the Lord.

“Do you love Me?” That was the thrice repeated question of Jesus to Simon Peter. It is His question to us. He appeals to us to free the slave, and to loosen our grip on every must-have person that keeps us from the fullness of consecration that Christ exhibited.