Brother's Keeper - Forgive

We are not told about Philemon’s response to Paul, however, we can arrive at a reasoning that Paul’s goal was to have Philemon forgive Onesimus for running away. In order to fully benefit from each other as Brother’s Keepers, learn to forgive and encourage the people around you to purposefully live a lifestyle of forgiveness.

We forgive because we have been forgiven. When the Father forgives us of our sins, we are empowered to do likewise- knowing that we are emulating Him in the process.

Matthew 6:12 (NIV) 

 Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

It is easier to forgive when you have Christ in you because you understand the significance of forgiveness. You understand the price He paid for your reconciliation with the Father. You will be a better person if you live a lifestyle of forgiveness versus resentment, bitterness, grudges, etc.

Brother's Keeper - Encourage

As a Brother’s Keeper, you need to be an encourager – encouraging those around you especially with the word of God to accept Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. We are looking at a situation whereby Paul has led Onesimus to Christ and he is about to send Onesimus to his master Philemon.

Philemon 1: 11, 15-17 (NIV)

 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

Emphasis Mine

Being in Christ places you in a position of better usefulness as a person, than out of Christ. Permit me remind you that when God created you, he placed potentials in you. These potentials can only be tapped through the knowledge of HIM who placed the potentials in you. Out of HIM, you are at risk of never becoming all that you ought to be in this life.

So too was the case with Onesimus. His name actually means useful, profitable, beneficial yet he lived like a slave throughout his life until he met Paul and his life changed. Paul is now telling Philemon in vs 11 that formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

Philemon 1:15-17 (NIV)

 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 

Emphasis Mine

If you are now in Christ, can you relate? Has there been a significant change in your life ever since you came to Him? Have you become more useful in kingdom matters, now that you know Him? In Christ, you begin to understand God’s purpose for your life and effectively function in it. By so doing, you become a useful contributor to the lives of the people around you.

I will use this opportunity to encourage you that vain living, vain talking will never profit you and those around you. Live life knowing that you will give an account on the day of judgement for every idle/empty word spoken Matthew 12:36.

Do not exist. Live purposefully. Cease every opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of one or many. Purpose to leave a legacy.

We are not told if Paul and Onesimus met again – however, I am certain Onesimus lived to remember that Paul led him to Christ- It was the turning point of Onesimus life. Make your life more useful, more profitable and more beneficial, first to yourself, then your family and friends. Amen!

Brother's Keeper - Considerate

Have you ever thought of a time in your life whereby your position in society, ministerial gift/ office, etc. had a negative influence on you? That was not the case with Paul.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus – Philemon 1:8-9
Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus.
Emphasis mine

Paul did not allow his position as an apostle to have a negative influence on how he treated others. Rather, fully conscious of his place, position and influence, he was very considerate on how he treated people. He allowed himself to be guided by love - yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love (vs 9a).

Philippians 2:3-5 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

Brother's Keeper - Reconciliation

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus – Philemon 1:8-12 (NIV)

Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.  I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 

Emphasis Mine

Paul is pleading with Philemon on behalf of Onesimus – telling Philemon to show kindness to Onesimus. Onesimus was ministered to by Paul while in the Roman prison. Paul was therefore his spiritual father by implication. A time came when Paul decided to send Onesimus back to his master Philemon. However, there had to be reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus and this was facilitated by Paul.

Reconciliation or to reconcile, is to restore friendly relations between people. This was an outstanding move by Paul because he did just what Jesus did for us. Do you know it is scriptural that the ministry of reconciliation has been given to us? Yes it has!

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 

Emphasis mine.

Therefore, in order for reconciliation to occur, it has to involve more than one person. It is an attempt to bridge the gap (in this case God and humans; Philemon and Onesimus). There has to be a middle man. Jesus and Paul respectively.

Reconciliation is a Christ-like action and a gift to us. Therefore, in order for reconciliation to have a lasting effect, it must be done HIS way. The goal of the middle man in reconciling is to make sure that the one who is being reconciled no longer appears bad.

Reconciliation is aimed at having an eternal benefit. So when in position to reconcile and doubt whether or not it is the right thing to do, ask yourself this question. Will this action lead to an eternal benefit?

So, as a Brother’s Keeper, remember to use the gift of reconciliation for the glory of the Lord. Amen.

Brother's Keeper - Praise And Rejoice With Another

Paul rejoiced as he wrote to Philemon. In this context, Paul was filled with joy because of Philemon’s growth in spiritual aspects (things).

Philemon 1:7 (NIV) 

 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Emphasis Mine

We previously examined the kind of prayer Paul prayed for Philemon and we can agree that such a prayer of thanksgiving can only be made by someone who rejoices with you.

Paul acknowledged the following about Philemon

·       Philemon’s faith in the Lord Jesus (vs 5)

·       Philemon’s love for all God’s people (vs 5)

·       Philemon was definitely someone who loved others because Paul acknowledged that Philemon’s love has given him much joy and comfort. And Philemon’s kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people (vs 7). Amen.

So, it takes only someone who genuinely rejoices with you and what you do, to patiently acknowledge what you do. It suffice to say that Paul was praising Philemon as well. It is okay to praise one another. It is wrong to worship one another. You praise someone for what they have done. Worship is reserved for our one and only wise God.

Let’s make these principles practical. How often do you acknowledge the things people do around you? (For you and for others?). How often do you praise them? Let’s learn this principle from Paul’s Epistle to Philemon. Praise and rejoice with and for one another.

Brother's Keeper - Prayerful

Philemon 1:4 (NIV)
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, - Emphasis mine

Philemon 1:4 (NLT)
I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, - Emphasis mine

Philemon 1:4 (ESV)
I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, - Emphasis mine

Philemon 1:4 (KJV)
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, - Emphasis mine

When we take a closer look at the above scriptural references, we can agree that it was habitual for Paul to pray, and when he did, he prayed for Onesimus. So, “when he prayed” not “if he prayed”. Amen.

One way to be your Brother’s Keeper is to purposefully pray for them. Your prayers will go a long way where your physical strength cannot take you. Praying for another is an expression of selflessness on your part and also an example of a godly lifestyle.

In this case, Paul prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for Philemon because he kept hearing about Philemon’s faith and his love for God’s people (Philemon 1:5 (NIV)). Paul further prayed that Philemon will put into action the generosity that comes from his (Philemon) faith as Philemon understands and experiences all the good things we have in Christ (Philemon 1:6 (NIV)).

Your situation might be different. You are surrounded by people you can pray for and depending on the situation you might pray a prayer of thanksgiving, intervention, that they should come to the knowledge of Christ and more - just based on the need.

The principle of “when you pray” is also recorded in Matthew 6:5-7 (NIV)

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

Emphasis mine

Examine your prayer life. Prayer is communication with your heavenly Father – you have a relationship with Him. Maintain the bond through communication. Then, when you pray (communicate), always remember to pray for your fellow brothers and sisters. That is what Paul is teaching us through this Epistle to Philemon.

Brother's Keeper - Accountability

Accountability is simply keeping your commitments to people. How accountable are you?

Can people count on you?

Paul had a responsibility to the body of Christ as an apostle such that wherever he found himself, he could not help but be accountable and responsible.

Philemon 1:10 (NIV)

“that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.”

Emphasis mine

This verse gives us the understanding that, even while in chains, Paul led Onesimus to Christ and Onesimus became a changed person.

Circumstances can skew our ability to be people of accountability. However, I submit to you this day that accountability is one of the highest levels of maturity a human being can exhibit. Please do not be deceived by the myth which cause people to think that accountability is for kids alone or accountability reveals immaturity.

We can only imagine how uncomfortable it could have been for Paul to minister Christ to Onesimus from chains, yet he did it. Paul kept his commitment to the body of Christ in spite of his circumstances. Are you keeping your commitments or have you allowed your current inconveniences to handicap your ability to be accountable? Better still, as a child of God, are you keeping your commitments to him?

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Emphasis Mine

Are you committed to being an ambassador for Christ? Properly representing Him? Are you carrying out the Great Commision?

We count on the Lord every minute of our lives for the breath of life, can He count on us to properly represent him here on earth?