Thursday, January 19, 2006

Principle of Philemon

I was reading through the book of Philemon this morning and began to wonder what the deeper issue was in this text. Was the letter simply written exhorting Philemon not to treat his servant harshly when he returned? Was Paul just pulling rank and using up a favor to help out a new child in the faith?

As I finished reading, I began to think there is an underlying principle that is applicable to all of us. At one time or another in our life, we were are all in need of mercy and forgiveness by another person. Yet how soon we forgot our own misfortunes once things started to get easy and properous again. Perhaps this is a good reminder that none of us is really any better than the next guy, and therefore we need to show grace in our conduct with others who we would esteem lower than ourselves. What are your thoughts?

Every blessing in Christ,

Jim

4 comments:

Matthew Celestine said...

I think you have found the heart of that epistle, Jim.

God Bless

Matthew

Jim said...

Thanks for your thoughts Matthew.

Jim

Rose~ said...

Jim,
In Christ there is truly no bond nor free, no male nor female. We all need mercy. Thank God it is available to us. We ought to be the first to show it to others. Good post.

Jim said...

Very true Rose, just like the servant who was forgiven the 10,000 talents. He missed the point didn't he.