Philemon -- Love That Pays The Price

Paul’s hope in this short letter was that his friend Philemon would hear Paul’s heart and not react as society would have back then to the return of his runaway slave.  Instead, Paul wanted Philemon’s Christian character to speak volumes to others.  Paul’s primary appeal seems to be that God in His providence had arranged things so that Onesimus would wind up in Paul’s prison in Rome where he would become a Christian – a divine appointment.

Philemon was really on the spot, for “if he were too easy on Onesimus, it might influence other slaves to become Christians and want to influence their masters.  However, if he was too hard on the man, it might affect Philemon’s testimony and ministry in Colosse,” my commentary said.

Paul had a solution – he would pay the price and oh, what that showed!  My commentary continued:  “It takes more than love to solve the problem:  love must pay a price.  God does not save us by His love, for though He loves the whole world, the whole world is not saved.  God saves sinners by His grace and grace is love that pays a price.  God in His holiness could not ignore the debt that we owe, for God must be faithful to His own law.  So He paid the debt for us!”

Father, thank You for paying the price so that I could be part of Your family.  I in no way deserve it, but You loved me enough that You gave Your own Son for me and for my sins.  Such love, Father!  Such love!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford