A Reconciling Gospel

Philemon 1

2 Corinthians 5

Paul pleaded for Philemon to be reconciled with Onesimus, modeling the reconciliation Christ has extended to us.

When Paul appealed to Philemon on behalf of the runaway slave Onesimus, he placed himself in the middle of their broken relationship. To make peace, Paul volunteered to pay Onesimus's debt. Through this action, Paul modeled Jesus Christ, who is the peacemaker between God and sinful humanity. By paying our debt, Jesus reconciled us to God and to each other.

Because we have been given limitless grace through Jesus Christ, we live as agents of reconciliation who reflect the heart of our crucified Savior to others.