Slaves No More

 April 30, 2022

A runaway slave sent back to his former master by the world’s most famous Christian leader is just what the skeptic ordered. Can you imagine what the media would do with such a story? This is no hyped up scene from a bloodthirsty reporter; it actually happened. Unfortunately for those who would salivate over such a scoop, there is more to the story. 

Onesimus had run away from his master Philemon, eventually making his way to Paul who sits in a Roman prison for his faith. There he is converted through Paul’s prison ministry. Paul sends him back to his master, along with a letter in which Paul encourages Philemon to receive Onesimus not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. The difference between the two is stark in its contrast and significance: A slave is valued for what he can do; a brother for who he is.

In Christian circles, we so often emphasize servanthood to the detriment of brotherhood. We describe ourselves as “servants of Jesus.” But Jesus had a different take on all this when he said, “I no longer call you servants, but friends” (John 15:15). 

Seeing ourselves only as servants leads to performance-based lives which can easily drift into blatant legalism, supplanting our Sonship in Christ. It also affects our relationships with others; we see them as we see ourselves—servants who can and should do things for us rather than as brothers and sisters who are valued for who they are as children of God. When we see people as servants, we have unwittingly elected ourselves as God.

Sonship and brotherhood on the other hand, are all about intrinsic worth irrespective of performance. Both perspectives are needed, but I think we (I) should put more emphasis on being a brother, and seeing other people way, too.