Giving Grace

Onesimus was a slave, but not just any slave. He was a run-away slave. Onesimus had fled from his master, Philemon, and ended up in the best place possible. Onesimus ended up in Rome at the same time Paul was being held in prison.  Through God ordained circumstances, Onesimus met Paul and accepted Christ. During his duration in Rome, Onesimus gave much of his time to helping the imprisoned Paul. However, Paul, knowing that Onesimus was indeed a run-away slave, knew that this issue must be resolved. Paul proceeded to write what we know as the book of Philemon.

In this short book, Paul writes an appeal to Philemon, asking for him to reconcile with the fugitive Onesimus. Paul encourages Philemon to not only forgive and accept his run-away slave, but also to see him not as a bond servant, but as a fellow believer in Christ. Paul even goes to the extent to say "If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account." (Philemon 1:12). In short, Paul is fervently writing for Philemon to show grace.

We don't know how this story ends. It is not mentioned whether or not Philemon reconciled with his run-away servant or not. I would assume he did, given that Paul himself wrote Philemon a letter, but that is not the point. The point is much more beautiful and wonderful. The point is grace. Paul was asking Philemon to give grace to his slave. Philemon had every right to throw Onesimus in prison--he broke the law--but that did not mean he should. See Paul knew that as Christians we should show grace because it was first shown to us through Jesus Christ. We see in this letter Paul pleading for Philemon to show that same grace and forgiveness to a fellow brother in Christ. He was asking him to give grace.

As we quickly approach this Christmas season, let this story resound in our minds. Is there someone you need to be reconciled with? Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone you need to show grace? I can say yes to everyone of those questions. But we are called to be "imitators of Christ", and that means giving a gift we are called to give this holiday season--the gift of grace.