The making of wrongs right is not a common thing anymore. This is where you have done something to offend another person, and you repent, go back to that person, ask for forgiveness, and then seek to make amends for the wrong you did to them. For instance, if you stole money from someone and then you became a Christian, you should go, take the money back to them and ask for forgiveness. It would also be proper to offer to pay interest on the money you stole for the time period you had the money. As Christians, you should make restitution when you have wronged someone.
In Philemon, Paul is writing to Philemon. Philemon was a believer and a faithful witness for Christ. He was also the owner of a slave, Onesimus. Onesimus ran away, and while he was gone, he met Paul while Paul was in prison. There is no document to let us know how they met, but after being with Paul, he was converted to Christianity. He was dear to Paul as a new convert, and he appeals to Philemon to receive him back. Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon so that things can be made right between them. In verse 13, Paul states that he would love to keep him with him, but he understands the situation and it is right for Onesimus to return to his master.
Philemon was a Christian who had a church in his home. Paul’s appeal is for him to receive Onesimus as a brother. He was to receive him and forgive him. In verses 8-9, Paul reminds Philemon that he has the authority to command him to receive him, but he appeals to him from a heart of love, which every follower of Christ should have. Onesimus returns to Philemon not knowing how his master will react. We do not know why Philemon became his master. It was common for a person to become a servant because of indebtedness. For whatever reason, Onesimus was indebted to Philemon. Paul makes the point in verses 13-14 that he could have kept him with him, but he felt it was right to send him back to make things right with his master. He does not want Philemon to accept him back because Paul demands it, but out of a heart of Christian love. Paul wanted to give Philemon the opportunity to show his goodness to Onesimus.
Paul not only asks Philemon to accept him back, but tells him that if Onesimus owes him anything, to put it on his account. Paul reminds Philemon in verse 19 that he was the one to lead him to Christ, therefore Philemon was indebted to him also.
This one chapter, one letter book, is a beautiful account of redemption and forgiveness. It challenges us to forgive those who have done us wrong and to make right the wrongs we have done to others. It is a picture of our redemption in Christ. We, the transgressors, turn to Christ with a repentant heart, and He, the Master, forgives and receives us. We should be acting in this same manner when others have treated us wrongly.
Philemon 1:8-19 “Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus. I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly, he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.”
Who do you need to forgive and receive today? We must forgive even if they do not ask for forgiveness. We must extend a loving heart because we are forgiven by God. Do you feel the person you are harboring bad feelings toward does not deserve forgiveness? Let me remind you that we do not deserve God’s forgiveness either. Yet, because of His love for us, He extends it and we gladly welcome it. Maybe you need a Paul to challenge your heart. Who is your Paul and who is your Onesimus? Which are you, Onesimus, Philemon, or Paul?
