What Would Jesus Do?

"I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart." 

(Philemon 1: 10-12, NLT)

(Life Application Bible):  "Philemon is a letter written by Paul in about A.D. 60 while he was under house arrest in Rome. Onesimus was a domestic slave who belonged to Philemon, a wealthy man and a member of the church in Colosse.  Onesimus had run away from Philemon and had made his way to Rome where he met Paul, who apparently led him to Christ.  Paul convinced Onesimus that running from his problems wouldn't solve them, and he persuaded Onesimus to return to his master.  Paul wrote this letter to Philemon to ask him to be reconciled to his runaway slave."

It's always nice when someone puts a good word in for us.  As a master, Philemon had the legal right to kill Onesimus because he had run away.  Since Onesimus had become a Christian, Paul wanted Philemon to forgive Onesimus and accept him back, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ.  Because Paul was an elder and apostle, he could have ordered Philemon to deal kindly with Onesimus.  But, instead, Paul wanted to appeal to Philemon's Christian beliefs and have him act in a manner of forgiveness and heartfelt obedience.  

When dealing with people and situations, we must strive to act in a manner worthy of Christ's calling.  Remember the "WWJD" bracelets?  What would Jesus do in this situation?  He would forgive and accept Onesimus just as He forgives and accepts us.  The past is the past.  We are a "new creation" in Christ.  We are no longer slaves to sin, but joint heirs with Jesus!