Philemon has a problem. His friend, Paul, has written a letter. The one bringing the letter is Philemon’s runaway slave, Onesimus. The letter discloses that Onesimus has become a Christian while he stayed with Paul. In returning Onesimus to his owner, Paul says that his status as a Christian changes the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus. “This is why he was away from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother.” Philemon’s problem is one we share: taking the gospel seriously will cost us. Instead of accepting the values of slave-owning society Philemon must make economic decisions as a Christian. Believers look at all things through a gospel lens.
