Journey Of Life Lutheran Church

The book of Philemon is interesting on several fronts. First, as opposed to most New Testament writings, which were meant to be read aloud to the whole church, Philemon is a personal letter from Paul to a wealthy man named Philemon in whose home the church met. Second, it is a letter on behalf of Onesimus, a slave of Philemon's who ran way to Rome, was brought to Christ, and decided the right thing to do was to return to his master from whom he had run way. The book of Philemon is Paul's letter to Philemon urging him to take Onesimus back and not press charges for running away (which could be harsh, up to even crucifixion). In this letter we learn about doing the hard things that go with following Christ, obedience as often a prerequisite to seeing God work, and how love not authority is the true language of the body of Christ.