THE ATTITUDE. v.12 Paul's strong word about Onesimus, who had been helping him, was, "mine own bowels," in our words today, it would be similar to the loss of "tearing my heart out." These two men greatly appreciated each other. Onesimus had served Paul on behalf of Philemon, as far as Paul was concerned. But he could no longer use Philemon's servant without him knowing, otherwise it would have been stealing that which belonged to another person. He was not going to violate Roman law. He would not create a legitimate complaint against Christians, and he would make sure restitution was made.
Send back. When God's people appreciate each other as those we love in Christ, when we lose them by death or for some other reason, it really affects us. After the Lord saved Onesimus, he served Paul, who himself was a bondservant of Jesus Christ. However, there was a higher claim on Onesimus because he belonged to Philemon, even though a servant of the Lord Jesus is in a better place in life than a president or a prime minister.
Philemon, as a Christian, not just a slaveowner, was obligated to receive Onesimus and show kindness to him in spite of what he did. This letter is not a discussion about slavery, social mores, sin, servanthood, and servitude in comparison to independence. For the barriers to be removed, obligations had to be met. Onesimus had to make restitution, and Philemon had to forgive him. Both of them had to demonstrate Christian submission and kindness.
Some things in a new believer's life cannot be rectified. When a person owes money, the debts have to be paid. When wrongs can be made right, that must be done as far as possible. New attitudes toward God, His word, His people, and oneself develop and make life new. When this new life is pursued and promoted, we will find the abundant life our Lord Jesus Christ said we could have when we follow Him. Consideration for the property of others and other people is a principle to be practiced among God's people today. This example is a good one to follow.
Receive. There is equality in the kingdom. Entrance into the kingdom of God is by the grace of God alone, not by any effort of human endeavor or favored position. In the kingdom of God, the way up is down. The way to win is to lose. The way to get is to give. The way to live is to die. God's amazing generosity reveals His grace's fullness and greatness. It is only right that those who have received abundant grace show grace to others. Everyone in the kingdom of God is there because of the grace of God, not because of any efforts or merits of their own.
Only God can properly assess faithfulness and opportunities to serve Him. Human judgments based on human efforts have nothing to do with grace but rather with debt. Human judgments may be reversed when we are limited to what is considered “fair” by our standards. In contrast, God deals with us in grace, not by what we deserve. No one would ever be saved if we were given what we deserve. But unmerited favor is an act on the part of God’s own great heart of love and grace to us.
Ordinary people passing on the news from one person to another is in contrast to the news media making an announcement. God brings down the proud and lifts the humble. Those who are first in the eyes of men are last with Him. Those who are overlooked and last in men's eyes are first with God.