In the fall of 1973, I attended a teaching session at the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Athens, Georgia. This was in the old church, before Tarkenton Memorial was built. My Dad, Rev. Vernon Wilson, along with Rev. Raymond Duncan and Rev. Dennis Kesler, also attended. The teacher was John Swails. He made an impression on my life that I’ve never forgotten. So much so that in 1987, I had him teach at the church where I was the pastor. He and his wife stayed with Marlene and me while they were there. But in 1973, his subject was The Book of Philemon.

I recently took a fresh look at Philemon. It begins with Paul saying that Philemon is a beloved friend and co-laborer in the work of the Lord. He mentions the church Philemon had in his home. That was common in the early days of the church, and it continues today. I have preached at several home meetings that later led to the construction of a church. Marlene and I are blessed to host a Connect Group from The Jefferson Church in our home during the Spring and Fall. Paul tells Philemon that what he is doing is blessing many people. Their hearts are refreshed because of his ministry.

But then, Paul gets to the main reason for the letter. He is not writing on behalf of himself, not just to compliment Philemon, but on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave who appears to have stolen something from Philemon before fleeing for his freedom. A man who somehow crossed paths with Paul and had become a Christian as a result of Paul’s ministry. More than a Christian, he had become a brother in the Lord. More than a brother, he was like a son. Since Paul mentions being in chains, it’s likely that he and Onesimus met while Paul was under house arrest in Rome.

Paul loved Onesimus to the point that he was willing to take responsibility for whatever Onesimus owed so that he would be forgiven by Philemon and received back, not as a slave, but as a brother. Paul asked that Philemon treat Onesimus the same way he would treat Paul. Under the law, Philemon had the right to deal harshly with the man who had stolen from him and fled, but Paul asked that mercy and forgiveness be extended in the spirit of grace. Paul trusted that Philemon would not simply accept his request, but that he would do even more than what Paul asked of him. He gave Philemon the benefit of the doubt about how Onesimus would be treated, a lesson we can apply to our lives. As Christians, we must live our lives in a manner worthy of trust and strive to live a life of integrity, honesty, and love.

Paul’s letter to Philemon is a message that speaks to all generations, and today, it speaks to me.