In a small New Testament book, we find a short account of a runaway named Onesimus. His entire story comprises just one page of the New Testament: the little book of Philemon.

It is an amazing account, one filled with the grace, mercy, and goodness of our God. Someone may say, ‘Well, I thought the book was about Philemon and not Onesimus.’ That is true as well. Here is an overview of the story:

Onesimus, Philemon, and Paul

Onesimus was a servant of Philemon. Philemon was a believer. This man not only knew the Lord Jesus Christ, but most Bible teachers believe the Apostle Paul had led him to the Lord. At the time of Paul’s letter, Philemon had an early church meeting in his house at Colosse. He was a true Christian man.

His servant Onesimus decided he didn’t want to be a servant anymore. He fled to Rome. By divine providence, he was then arrested in Rome, thrown into prison, and crossed paths with a fellow inmate— none other than the Apostle Paul! See the divine humor in it. Onesimus thought he would get lost in the big city of Rome where nobody would know him. Friend, no matter where you go, God knows right where you are. He knew where you would travel; He was there before you got there, and He meets you there!

When Onesimus was thrown in jail, Paul shared with him the glorious message of forgiveness and mercy in Jesus Christ. Onesimus became a believer as well. Imagine his shock when he found out the man who had just led him to the Lord Jesus Christ also showed his master (Philemon) how to be saved. Further, they are dear friends! Onesimus was sent back to Philemon, back home with a letter of pardon. That letter stated that his life was changed forever.

That epistle (letter) is the Book of Philemon. Onesimus literally carried his own letter of pardon home.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

Read some of the words that Paul wrote to Philemon regarding Onesimus:

“Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or owe thee ought, put that on mine account;” (Philemon 1:9-18)

That is really the story of Onesimus’s journey. We must find the application.

Three Perspectives on the Journey of Life

All of us are Onesimus, all of us are Paul, and all of us are Philemon:

1. Repent like Onesimus

All of us need our own encounter with God. If you have never met Jesus, you can journey all of your life; maybe even you can run to Rome, get lost in the masses, and try anything you want to. But until you meet Jesus, you cannot have the mercy, peace, forgiveness of sin, or purpose you desperately need. Never!

To every Onesimus who may be reading this today by divine appointment: God wants to meet you right where you are. You may think you are on the run from someone or something, but the Lord has met you. Today, He offers you the free gift of eternal life. Would you come into the family of God? Repent of your sin right now, and by faith take Jesus as your personal Savior. You will come to know the same mercy and pardon that Onesimus did. (Learn more about this step HERE.)

The Letter of Pardon

Into eternity, every man carries a letter. Every man either carries a letter of pardon stating that he is forgiven and his debts are paid in full, or he carries a bill stating that payment is required. Paul’s gracious offer to Philemon—’put that on mine account‘—is a profound picture of Christ’s substitutionary atonement, placing our debt on His account and granting us eternal pardon.

2. Intercede like Paul

On your journey, God will place some Onesimuses across your path. Paul was in prison when this all took place. He was in difficult circumstances. He could not travel freely; he could not preach like he wanted to and do all he wanted to do. Even when you cannot do all you want to do, you can do what God wants done! You can witness! You can intercede.

3. Forgive like Philemon

Someone is going to do something, and you are going to be tempted to be bitter and unforgiving, holding it against them and saying, ‘Well, they were in the wrong.’ Yes, they may have been in the wrong, but it is right for you to forgive them! As you have been forgiven, forgive. You have received mercy; give mercy. That is Paul’s message to Philemon. He says, ‘Look, you have been blessed—now be a blessing. You have been saved—now rejoice in the salvation of this man.’

Everybody needs a second chance. Everybody needs a new beginning. We all need someone to say, ‘Look, God has forgiven you, and so have I. Let us get beyond this. Let’s move past our past, and let’s begin today to rejoice in God’s goodness in all of our lives.’ I tell you, on the journey, you are going to see God meet you along the way.

Whether you are Onesimus running from God, Paul wanting to be used of Him, or Philemon needing grace to forgive and show mercy to someone else, I want you to know that on your journey today, the Lord will help you. He is the God of all grace.

As the closing words of the little book of Philemon remind us:

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” (Philemon 1:25). 

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About Scott Pauley

STUDY PAGE: Philemon