Love Like a Brother
Every family has one or more members who can’t get on their feet. They have a history of taking advantage of their parents or other family members. When their name is mentioned, people roll their eyes. It is wise to be aware of their tactics, but as Christians, we are called to love like a brother. That means they will always be family.
PHILEMON 1:15-16
“For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”
Paul had led Onesimus to the Lord and discipled him. It came out that he was an escaped slave from another believer in Colossae, Philemon. Under Roman law, Onesimus could be put to death by Philemon. Paul writes this letter to persuade Philemon to forgive Onesimus. He appealed to Philemon’s generosity and care for the church. Paul asks him to extend the same to Onesimus and uses the letter to show how God extended grace to everyone, even though they deserved death.
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