On the Basis of Love

Continuing our journey through the Bible, this week’s reading is Paul’s letter to Philemon, a letter filled with familial terms, and it is clear that the focus of the letter, Onesimus, has been a slave of Philemon. Although we don’t know how or why Onesimus is currently and has been with an imprisoned Paul, it is clear that Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon. Onesimus has become a convert to Christianity, and Paul encourages Philemon to receive the former slave as a brother, to learn from him, to grow with him. In many ways the entire ministry of Jesus can be seen in this letter, and Paul’s appeal to Philemon calls us as a church to live a life of love.