Philemon 1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer.
Two Lessons from Philemon
Nothing is more exhilarating to a young kid than to read his older brother or sister’s mail. Well, the book of Philemon is a very personal letter. You might call it a personnel letter because it helps us to see how to treat those that we work with, work for, or have interaction with. Wouldn’t you like to be more skilled in dealing with other people? Philemon is a book that reminds us that when we know who we are in Jesus Christ, then we know how to treat other people. This letter provides two lessons in particular when it comes to dealing with other people.
The first lesson is that the way you view others determines how you treat them. The very first words from Paul’s pen are “Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ.” He saw Jesus as Lord and himself, not as a mighty preacher, but as a servant. He was writing to Philemon who, tragically, was a slave owner. Paul had come across his runaway slave Onesimus, and won him to Christ. Onesimus was now a brother to Philemon and not merely a slave.
If I see someone as inferior or an enemy, then I can’t possibly do anything beyond that perception. Paul refers to others in this letter as fellow laborers, fellow soldiers, and fellow prisoners. How do you see others today? You are not going to treat them any better than how you see them.
The second lesson is that people of good character will want to live up to your expectations. When people want to do what is right and are shown how to do it, they will want to live up to that expectation. I am not suggesting that we are all to be slaves of the opinions of others, but when people want to do what is right we ought to give them the chance to do just that.
For instance, Paul talks about Philemon’s love for the people of God and encourages him to show his love for this brother in Christ, Onesimus. Then he basically says, “I’m not going to command you. I am going to beseech you as a prisoner myself to do that which would please the Lord Jesus.” He assumes that when Philemon knows what is right to do, he will do it.
If you want to improve your skills with other people you have to be aware of Who Jesus is, where that places you, and what that means about other people in your life.