Day 353

Social Justice

Read: Philemon

Slavery is a horrible violation of the law of love. The Christian faith did not make a frontal assault on this evil institution but undermined it so that in time it collapsed. This letter of Paul illustrates how this happened. Philemon had a slave named Onesimus, who ran away and probably took some of Philemon’s money. Paul was in prison in Rome and apparently Onesimus sought him out and was converted.

Now Paul sends Onesimus back to his master with this letter. In the letter Paul urges Philemon to treat Onesimus no longer as a slave but as a brother in Christ (v. 16). Paul urges Philemon to see the whole event as the providence of God through which Onesimus was led to Christ. He promises to repay Philemon for the financial loss he had suffered, but at the same time reminds him that since Philemon himself had been led to Christ by Paul, Philemon owes Paul a great debt. Making wise use of psychology, he tells Philemon that he expects that he will do more than Paul asks. He tells him he hopes to get out of prison and visit him, thereby reminding him of his accountability.

Some Christians emphasize evangelism, some social justice. If we would be biblical, we must emphasize both. The two should complement each other, as they do in this letter. Let us be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

PRAYER
Father, give us a passion for evangelism and for justice in the structures of society. In Jesus’ name. Amen.