Psalms 63: 2 – 6; Genesis 45:4-7; Philemon 8-22 Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:32
Grace in relationships is a thing that ought to be extended to all. It ought not to be a thing of social class, but a thing of humanity. All humans are made in the ‘image and after the likeness of God’ (Genesis 1:27). This means that every human being is an image bearer of God, the Creator. That alone is enough to compel all to treat each other graciously.
How graciously do we treat others, especially those considered below us in the social strata?
1. The worker in your home, yes, the one who cleans after you, the farm-hand;
2. The parking attendant at the church parking lot, supermarket, office parking lot et al;
3. The delivery man/woman from the courier company, the nduthi-rider, cab driver who is sent to drop packages to you;
4. Employees under you, the tea girl, office cleaners, security guard;
5. The waiter/waitress at your favourite joint, coffee shop, restaurant, servers in a wedding/other function et al.
This list can go on and on. Being gracious to others means at times just saying ‘good morning’, flashing a genuine smile their way, or, speaking to them in a way that they feel seen and heard. Being gracious means treating others as image bearers of God and not just as statistics.
Such was the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus. Onesimus was a bond-servant to Philemon. As would be the case in their civilization, Philemon treated Onesimus as a master would ordinarily do. However, the apostle Paul is introducing a new dynamic in the relationship between these two men. Paul is introducing a relationship of Christian brotherhood. Both men had become believers in Christ and hence were brothers in the Lord. This was new concept and was going to be rather difficult to practice, especially on the part of Philemon. How do a master and servant become brethren? How were they to become equals? How were they to relate from that time forth? Paul makes the following appeal because he understood how difficult this was going to be.
‘Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. (Philemon 8-16)
The apostle Paul is hereby helping to redefine relationships for those who are in Christ. Just as he labours with these two men, so it is with all who believe in Christ Jesus. We are called to live with each other in unity and love as those bound to and by Christ.
‘Therefore, I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all’. (Ephesians 4:1-6)
How then are we to show grace in relationships?
1. Recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as our all in all regardless of who we are.
2. Recognize that none of us is perfect. Each of us has faults and hence the call to lovingly be patient with each other.
3. Recognize that we are all a part of each other, the body of Christ and as such no part is greater or lesser.
4. Recognize that we are all under one Lord Jesus Christ and are called to one glorious hope for the future regardless of who we are.
5. Recognise that we have one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all and that he loves all equally. He plays no favourites.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
