Friday 24 July 2015

Psalm: Psalm 49

Background

While in prison, Paul writes to a well-known friend andhouseholder Philemon, regarding a fellow prisoner Onesimus who wasonce a servant to Philemon, but imprisoned for an unknown crimeagainst him. Paul has adopted Onesimus, and following his freedomasks Philemon to receive him with trust and respect as a brotheroffering to clear any debt that lies between them.

Not only is Philemon being expected to receive a former servantas an equal, but also to receive him as an adopted child of Paul -freed and redeemed, and coming to Philemon now working for Paulrather than Philemon.

Paul puts the onus on Philemon to do the right thing, notbecause Paul asks him to, but because he wants him to do so of hisown free will.

It seems like Philemon is put in a corner - because if heobjects in any way he is at risk of offending Paul, and counteringthe doctrine of forgiveness and salvation by grace, and also theidea that all are equal and free in Christ.

Paul is enacting his own doctrine of salvation, Onesimusrepresents the person redeemed by God's grace through Christ,received as a child of God, forgiven and free, and then placedamong other Christians who are also redeemed and free. We recallthe words: "There is no longer slave or free, there is no longermale and female: for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatian 3:28).

To Ponder

• How many of your opinions and judgements of others are stillformed by your sense of worth or deserving, or another's seemingstatus in society?

• How difficult is it for you to receive the acceptance ofanother person?

• In the light of your response to these two questions, how doesthis passage speak to you?