Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables opens with the struggles of Jean Valjean, a man ostracized by society because he was an ex-convict. Myriel, the town’s bishop, gave him shelter one night, but Valjean fled with Myriel’s silverware. When Valjean was caught by the police, however, the bishop said that he had given the silverware to Valjean. He then gave Valjean two silver candlesticks, as if he had meant to give them as well. After the police set Valjean free, Myriel told him that he should use money from selling the candlesticks to make an honest man of himself.
Onesimus was a fugitive slave who is believed to have stolen from his master (Philemon 1:16-19). He met Paul in prison and had become a believer in Jesus. With his life turned around, he had served well as Paul’s personal aide (Philemon 1:10-13). But Paul sent Onesimus back to be reconciled with his master, Philemon, a leader in the Colossian church.
The apostle asked Philemon to forgive and receive Onesimus back—not as a slave but as a fellow believer in Jesus (Philemon 1:15-16). Paul could have invoked his authority as an apostle and demanded Philemon’s compliance (Philemon 1:8,14), but he didn’t. Instead, Paul humbly and respectfully “[appealed] to [him] on the basis of love” (Philemon 1: NIV). The apostle sought willing and loving cooperation, not grudging acquiescence (Philemon 1:14). It was an appeal of fatherly love and brotherly affection for the reconciliation of two estranged siblings (Philemon 1:12,16).
In a world where “rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them” (Mark 10:42), Paul’s appeal of love is countercultural. May we also be different, learning to “love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude” by God’s power (1 Peter 3:8).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 2:13-23
More:
Read Philippians 4:1-3 to see how Paul uses “the basis of love” to diffuse conflict between two leaders.
Next:
What reasons might you have given for not reconciling with Onesimus? Why is the appeal of love more effective than using one’s authority or position?
godlove on June 13, 2017 at 5:06 am
Thank you, KT. There is so much power in love, which is the very basis of our faith in Christ: GOD’s love for humanity. To be honest, I have to admit that I don’t know whether I would have been as magnanimous as the bishop in Les Misérables, who shows love and mercy to someone who repaid his kindness with theft. Similarly, I’m pretty sure Philemon could find a hundred (good-sounding) reasons not to be reconciled with Onesimus but I realise doing so would be behaving like the servant in Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35). The last few words at very end of that parable is a nice link to today’s devotional, v 35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters FROM YOUR HEART.” Paul could have appealed from his authority but Philemon would then have been reconciled only by duty. But with the appeal of love, if Philemon heeded, it would more likely be from the heart, which is what God requires of us. May God help us to show the same love and mercy and forgiveness and reconciliation that we have received from Him to those around us, not by duty but out of love.
godlove on June 13, 2017 at 5:10 am
Sorry, I meant: not by duty, but from the heart.
Gary Shultz on June 13, 2017 at 5:12 am
Hi K.T: Well, it is certainly a case of grace vs law. The law is needed, but grace does something much different. The law recoils, and in many cases rightly so, but grace opens the heart to love not the law. Yes some will still move away from grace; however, a life sponsored by grace becomes a soul freed to respond and not react. We all know that God applied mercy to our situation, then grace was poured on top of that, showing the pure heart of the giver. Can this be applied to all situations of civil rebellion? I think not, but on A one to one basis the work of love can stir a cold heart. Thanks K.T.
conmeo on June 13, 2017 at 8:31 am
Hi KT and fellow ODJ-ers. Incredibly moving devotion and comments by Godlove and Gary. Oh to be a tree in the forest of fellow believers wrapping our roots around each other in the love, service and reconciliation of the Lord! Having been in a position to say “you forgot the candlesticks” is not necessarily a good feeling, but our God of love says do it. And we must; or as godlove pointed out the result in Matthew 18:35. Or as Gary said ” life sponsored by grace becomes a soul freed to respond and not react.” Let us hold close to the principle of Phillipians 4:2b and “settle your disagreement” even if it takes “seventy time seven” Matthew 18:22…it’s in RED, Jesus said it. Thanks to God for His Word and the community here. Let us continue to sow and patiently wait for the harvest. Peace be with us all!
briana99 on June 13, 2017 at 8:35 am
I once was really encouraged by the book of Philemon. I came across it in struggling to pray for a lost friend. We have been separated for about 5 years now and two years ago, I nearly gave up hope. But verse 15 really spoke to me: For perhaps he therefore departed for a season that thou shouldest receive him forever.
I have been struggling again with hope, wondering if this friend will ever be saved and if he will ever reconcile with me. Seeing this today had really helped.
sandy229 on June 13, 2017 at 9:31 am
When doing something out of love, it’s from the heart, where as doing it out of duty, seems like there is no love in doing it. So we should practice instant forgiveness for those who have offended us and make room for the restoration of broken relationships. Repentance often requires restitution, which Onesimus was unable to make or guarantee. Paul offers to pay it. This is a play on words, since Onesimus means “useful” or “profitable.” In stark contrast to his past, Onesimus is now useful to both Paul and Philemon, so he finally lives up to his name. Paul subtly requests that Onesimus serve him by doing what Philemon also would do if he were given the opportunity.. A parallel example is that of Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25-30..
Regina Franklin on June 13, 2017 at 2:33 pm
K.T.–powerful piece. True love–that is, love grounded in truth–is countercultural indeed. Thank you for sharing. Les Miserables remains one of my favorites.
minkjh on June 13, 2017 at 2:34 pm
Thanks. K. T. You’ve given us a wonderful example from the pen of the Apostle about Christian love in action among believers. Sometimes we’re our own worst enemies when we procrastinate forgiving a brother/sister who has offended us. The fact that Onesimus was mentored by Paul and declared useful for the gospel shows that discipiling leading to conversion and restoration is not to be taken lightly and has eternal value. We just need to be cognizant and discerning of God’s divine workings when we encounter these situations. Things did not turn out the same for Peter and Judas from an eternal perspective.