Love That Goes Above and Beyond the Law

Love That Goes Above and Beyond the Law

Philemon v9

Introduction / Story

• Background: Paul from prison writing to Philemon, a Christian slave-owner in Colossae
  
  
• Scenario: Runaway slave Onesimus steals from Philemon, flees, meets Paul in prison, becomes a Christian, and is sent back with Paul’s letter to seek forgiveness

• Paul’s radical request: Receive Onesimus no longer as a slave but as a free beloved brother

Main Text Focus: Philemon v9: Paul chooses to appeal “for love’s sake” rather than command

Five Key Principles for Building Bridges in Broken Relationships

1. Operate from Love, Not Law (v9)

• Love does not avoid issues; it addresses them
  
  
• Love determines HOW we act, not IF we act
  
  
• “Appeal” = urgent, gentle, loving plea (same word used in Phil 4:2)
  
  
• Love pleads; Law demands
  
  
• Keynote: Love pleads, while Law demands
  
  
• Practical: Lower your voice, gently request, reasonably explain

        2.  Believe That God Changes People (v10–11)

• Paul calls Onesimus “my child” whom he spiritually begot in prison
  
  
• Play on Onesimus’ name: formerly “useless,” now “useful”
  
  
• Bridge-builders refuse to define people only by their past
  
  
• Keynote: You will never build bridges if you don’t believe God is still changing people (including the ones who hurt you)
  
  
• Danger of “I’ll believe it when I see it” attitude → builds walls, not bridges

        3.  Expect the Best from People (v12–14)

• True repentance bears fruit, including restitution and reconciliation
  
  
• Paul expects Philemon to act like the mature believer he is: forgive, restore, release
  
  
• No one is right with God while refusing to make relationships right

        4.  Be Willing to Make a Sacrifice (v13–14)

• Paul personally wanted to keep Onesimus but sent him back
  
  
• Bridge-building always costs the bridge-builder
  
  
• Sacrifices involved:

1. Time
2. Risk of rejection
3. Risking relationships (“risking one’s arm”)

Historical illustration: 1492 Irish feud ended when one man cut a hole in the door and offered his unarmed hand (“Door of Reconciliation” in St. Patrick’s Cathedral)

        5.  Point to a Sovereign Purpose (v15–17)

• Paul reframes the entire painful story: “Perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a while — that you might have him back forever… as a beloved brother”
  
  
• God sovereignly uses even theft, flight, arrest, and imprisonment for eternal good
  
  
• Bridge-builders help people see God’s redemptive purpose behind the mess

Closing Challenge

• If you know two believers who are at odds and you are in relationship with both, God may be calling YOU to be the bridge-builder
  
  
• Start with love, not law
  
  
• Believe God changes people
  
  
• Expect and call out their best
  
  
• Count the cost
  
  
• Point them to God’s bigger purpose