Daily Devo | The Call to Humility & Humanity (New Testament in a Year, Philemon 4-22)

It is so easy to view others as problems rather than people. Relationships can be risky investments paid in terms of finances, time, energy, and vulnerability. In this letter, Paul sends a runaway slave Onesimus back to his former master Philemon — a situation fraught with risk and complexity. But Paul does not send Onesimu back empty-handed; he sends him with this letter in hand. And in this letter, Paul relies on persuasion rather than power, seeking to convince rather than coerce, so that Onesimus might be welcomed back, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ.

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For Reflection:

- Paul appeals to Philemon on the basis of love rather than simply exercising his authority. What does Paul risk by using persuasion rather than power? What does he gain?

- Paul offers to pay any debt Onesimus owes. How does Paul's willingness to absorb the cost of reconciliation reflect the grace Jesus has shown us? Is there a situation in which pursuing peace might require you to absorb some cost yourself?

- Prayer: Lord, help me see others with your eyes, extending grace and pursuing peace even when it costs me.