THE WELCOME. v.16 Once a slave. There is a significant analogy of redemption throughout this paragraph. Onesimus represents a sinner who runs away from God and robs Him. The law offers no mercy, but grace provides the right of appeal. He flees for refuge to Jesus, whom God considers a partner. He is begotten anew, and as a son, finds an Intercessor and a Father, and is received just like Christ Himself. The debt we owe has been placed on Christ's account. Conversion doesn't cancel the debts we owe to others; rather, restitution should be made. Christ paid a debt for me. "He did not owe." Now a brother. Philemon was receiving back more than just a slave. Onesimus was now a beloved brother in the Lord. Their relationship had changed. They would share fellowship due to their common bond of faith in Christ. Onesimus could serve Philemon "as unto the Lord.” Philemon would regard Onesimus as a fellow believer in the Lord, a brother in Christ, a child in God’s family, and a devoted servant.
Spiritual brotherhood reflects how we interact with one another in the practical aspects of daily life. Brothers are equal in a family, and that status never changes. “Brothers and sisters in Christ” is a distinction that remains constant, making it unique within the context of our Christianity. Other descriptions of believers relate to the gifts we have received from God, which are not all equal. Our time in Christ also influences what we can accomplish and the service for the Lord in which we can participate.
Being brothers does not alter our position in a family or in Christ in relation to our standing. We owe each other respect, recognition, and shared rights. We have no right to look down on or demean fellow believers in any way. We are members of one another in the body of Christ and equals in the family of God.
The lost condition of the souls of many around us compels us as servants and brothers to take action and preach the Gospel. God sustains human life, but He remains unknown to those whose ignorance blinds them to the truth of God. God’s truth is a divine decree that is unchanging and unavoidable. Our Lord Jesus Christ, through His sacrificial work on our behalf, offered salvation freely to all people who will receive Him, even though “There is none righteous, no not one!” This doesn't diminish the worth of a human being, but our natural condition of sin renders us unacceptable to be righteous before God [Psalm 14:1-3]. Because we are of the world, God made His move toward us. He desires "all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth."
Submission involves the operation of authority, not its order. It does not indicate the inferiority of one to another but rather the establishment and maintenance of the order by which life is best lived. A choice of submission from one to the other reflects that, even though equality exists between both individuals, there are defined roles that preserve harmony and order.
Society cannot function without laborers. Respect and fairness from both the laborer and the authority are essential. A servant does what he or she is instructed. They are expected to follow directions, perform their work correctly, and do it as unto Christ. When a person is conscientious, they will work well and be trustworthy and consistent in their work, even when working alone. That change elevated humanity from the status of slaves to a place where each person is recognized as equal before God.
Walking in the light also extends to the workplace, where we build relationships with employers and fellow employees. A third of our lives is spent in the broader environment of the world system. This is where the public testimony of believers is established. Those who work for others should apply integrity and skill to the tasks assigned to them. We are called to perform our work as bondservants of our Lord Jesus Christ. He observes all we do, knows how we do it, understands our attitude toward our work and those we serve, and rewards us accordingly. The teachings in the Bible regarding daily work elevate it to a Christian level that impacts not only our reputation but also our representation as servants of our Lord Jesus.
Paul did not condone slavery; rather, he instructed people on how to navigate life and work as they already did. Obedience was a key principle for slaves in Biblical times, and this concept generally applies to employees today. We should not rob those for whom we work of their time, nor should we neglect our responsibilities for which we are being compensated. Producing subpar work or wasting time is also a way of robbing those who pay our wages.
Christians should work for their employers as they would for the Lord. This is achievable in any righteous occupation when we operate in the strength of the Lord. We are expected to please both our employer and the Lord when we fulfill the will of God from the heart. If we only put forth our best effort when people are watching, we are not truly following the will of God. With the right attitude, even menial tasks can bring joy. Working for the Lord means doing our best with the abilities we possess, knowing that He is always watching us and being faithful in our work; the Lord will provide eternal rewards. No legitimate excuses exist for failing to do what God instructs us to do. He is our Lord, and He has entrusted us with everything we have to use for Him as stewards of His interests while He is away.