philemon

A Plea for Brotherly Love
(Philemon)

The apostle Paul, an old man and a prisoner in Rome,
converted the slave Onesimus and is sending him back home.
Philemon was his master before he ran away,
and Paul appeals to the family, that Christ's love will hold sway.
All three are servants of the Lord, through the Gospel taught by Paul.
"Your love has given me great joy; you refreshed the hearts of all."
Onesimus is a new man now, a faithful Christian brother,
beloved to the aged Paul, a helper like no other.
"Welcome him as you would welcome me, and if he owes you aught,
I promise to repay you. Don't give it a second thought.
Confident of your obedience, I boldly write to you,
knowing that you will do even more than I ask you to."
Paul seems to ask Philemon to free Onesimus
when he carries home this letter, Paul's signature a plus.
"Prepare a guest room for me, as I hope to be restored
in answer to your many prayers sent up to Christ the Lord."
He has not given up the fight, still waiting for release,
yet even if he dies in chains, death promises sweet peace.
As he offered to pay back the debt of Philemon's errant slave,
Christ suffered much to pay our debt, gives victory o'er the grave.
"Charge that to me," he say to God if we should slip and fall,
and welcomes us with open arms; no sin does he recall.
We are voluntary slaves now to serve our fellow man
as we walk in Jesus' footsteps to carry out his plan.

cgtrent@att.net
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