You Got to Serve Somebody

Philemon was a member of the Colossian Church and probably a convert of Paul. Onesimus was a slave of Philemon who robbed his master and fled to Rome and while under Paul’s preaching, was converted. Onesimus had an enormous debt to pay to his master but now he and Philemon had something in common: their shared faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Romans 1:16.

Onesimus understood he had wronged his master and that he needed to make things right with him. Paul becomes the middleman and sends a request to Philemon to welcome his wayward slave back with grace and forgiveness: “I appeal to you on the basis of love. I Paul an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ appeal to you for my son Onesimus who became my son while I was in chains.” Philemon 1:9-10.

This is the same story of every man and woman. We are all wayward slaves who have run away from our Master: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Our guilt was great and the penalty severe: “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. We were not worthy when we were declared Not Guilty! Even though we broke the law, the law didn’t win! We are free from the law of sin and death!

Paul pleas with Philemon: “So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.” Philemon 1:17-18. We need to be reconciled back to God, grace and forgiveness, and we need a mediator to intercede in our behalf: “for there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” 1Timothy 2:5.

Just like Onesimus, we can find ourselves “on the run.” At some point, sin takes its grip and hold on us. We come to a fork in the road and realize the consequences of continuing on the path that ultimately lead to ruin: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.

Bob Dylan penned the lyrics to the song, “You got to serve somebody.” Paul wrote it like this: “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:16-18.