The Gospel Changes Us and Our World

Something To Think About The Change the Gospel Brings:

What a powerful story is in and behind the little book of Philemon. Only three decades had passed since Jesus death and resurrection.  Philemon was one of the rapidly expanding body of believers in Christ.  He lived in Colosse, well over a thousand miles from Jerusalem, yet the Good News about Jesus Christ had already spread throughout his region, and beyond.  Perhaps Philemon came to know the Lord through contact with the Apostle Paul in nearby Ephesus.  His dedication was such that his home was a meeting place for the church in Colosse.  He was a man of good reputation.  I would like for an observer with Paul’s credentials to say about me, “I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you brother” (1:7).  That was Paul’s assessment of his friend Philemon. It is clear that the message of Christ, had changed Philemon.  What may not be as clear is that the Gospel was bringing changes to this man’s life that would change his community, and indeed the Good News was having impact that would long outlive Philemon. I encourage you to read the little letter from Paul to Philemon.  It won’t take long; it is less than 500 words.  Yet in this touching note from one Christian to another, we can see a marked change in world view.  There is a story, behind The Letter of Paul to Philemon, that is implied.  Onesimus was a slave in Philemon’s household.  Slavery was an accepted part of Roman society.  Onesimus ran away, perhaps stealing from his master as he escaped.  The run-away came into contact with the Apostle Paul, who pointed him to Jesus.  Legally, Paul was obligated to send Onesimus back to his master, where the consequences could be harsh.  Some take Paul to task.  “Why didn’t he start a refuge for run-away slaves instead of sending Onesimus back?”  Read the letter, Paul did not mount a frontal assault on slavery, yet “the fuller implication of Paul’s teaching here is that the Christian faith is incompatible with the ownership of slaves.  While not attacking the institution of slavery as such, therefore, the letter does bring us into an atmosphere in which the institution of slavery could only wilt and die.”*  Sadly it took way too long, but in those places where the Gospel has had free reign, slavery has become abhorrent. The Gospel--the good news that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again, for us, and thus made forgiveness and new life possible--not only changes people, it changes the world. What is the Lord doing through me to change my world? It’s STTA. * Carson, D. A.; Carson, D. A.; Moo, Douglas  J.; Moo, Douglas  J. (2009-05-26). An Introduction to the New Testament (Kindle Locations 14476-14480). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.