Daily Meditations from John N. N. Ng'ang'a: 26th July - 1st Aug 2010 -- Friendship Gives Joy, But it also a Responsiblity
Day 1
Philemon 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. NIV
I have written a book about friendship but practicing friendship principles is a big challenge for me. People are a challenge to deal with, yet one of the marks of a Christian is the desire to make and keep friends. In that way he is able to influence others and be influenced by them for the sake of the gospel. Some friendships, of course, are a means to bringing people to Jesus. For example, Andrew brought his brother to Jesus.
The German Protestant theologian Martin Luther saw a parallel between Paul and Christ in their work of reconciliation. However, Luther insisted that the letter upheld the social status quo: Paul did nothing to change Onesimus's legal position as a slave—and he complied with the law in returning him[1]. Is it any wonder then that this letter was a cause of debate during the British and later American struggles over the abolition of slavery. Both sides cited Philemon for support.
The value of this letter to us, apart from giving a glimpse of Paul's attitude toward slavery is also about his intimacy with a man like Philemon. It shows the importance of friendship. One of the chief elements of value in it is the picture it gives us of a Christian home in the apostolic days; the father and mother well known for their hospitality, the son a man of position and importance in the church, the coming and going of the Christian brethren, and the life of the brotherhood centering about this household.[2]
Day 2
Philemon 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. NIV
What do I think about slavery, child labor and exploited poor? Any Christian cannot read Philemon…and not get challenged on their position on these issues.
Unfortunately there are still places in Africa and elsewhere, where slavery is still practiced. Human slavery not only flourishes on every continent, with the exception of the Antarctica, but also in every nation. The U.S. 2005 TIP Report lists 150 countries found to be a source destination or transit country for trafficking of slaves.[3]
In Kenya we continuously hear of house-helps aged below 10 years working with hardly any pay. Exploitative child labor is uniquely offensive and just as with slavery, it should never be accepted or even excused.
International Labour Organization (ILO) defines child labour as follows:
"It is not kids helping out on the family farm. It is not wholesome, after-school work, which many of us did in our early years. Rather, ILO Convention No. 182 addresses the horror of children who are chained to looms or who toil in factories where furnace temperatures exceed 800 degrees Celsius; children who work unprotected under slave-like conditions; children forced to sell illegal drugs, forced into prostitution, forced into armed conflict. [4]
What is the Christian position on these matters? What about employees who are paid so little that they cannot survive on the wages? What do you do to people who are subject to you but have also wronged you? What is a Christian employee to expect of his Christian boss? How is a Christian employee to treat his Christian boss? The letter to Philemon has the answers.
Day 3
Philemon 17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. NIV
It must be from Philemon the USA fathers got the statement in the constitution:
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, nor any place subject to their jurisdiction." [5]
The Christians should treat each other in such a way that it will be a testimony in society that they are one body. Jesus said that that way they shall know that we are Christians by our love for each another. This type of oneness is not common in our churches today. Paul sees Onesmus, though a slave in society, as a brother in the church. He is not a property as the society of his day perceived him.
The message of the book of Philemon is that we must see each other in church as brothers and sisters. It is no surprise therefore that the East Africa revival Christians (commonly called in Kenya the tukutendereza fellowship) call each other brothers irrespective of whether one was a manager in his place of work. The Holy Spirit does not give gifts on the basis of a degree of education or class in society among others. Hence, you might discover that the messenger in the office has the teaching gift in the Church! We must therefore learn to accept each other as brothers and not to value each other on basis of who we are in society. The Managing Director in an office may be the usher on Sunday and the clerk may be the preacher of the day. But how are we to behave at work away from the church?
Day 4
Philem 13-14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. NIV
Once we see each other as brothers in church, and all men as potential brothers as we seek to evangelize them, then our relationships in industry will radically change. You cannot underpay a brother or a potential brother. You cannot treat a brother or a potential brother as slave that you own. Paul does not seem to have condemned slavery but what he was suggesting to Philemon as a way of treating his slave will make him much more than a slave. It is no wonder that William Wilberforce, the slave trade abolitionist, did not see it as possible to be both Christian and treat others as slaves.
But in requiring that Onesmus goes back to his master, Paul was showing that Christian employees are still to be respectful and obedient to their bosses. Just like older brothers may deserve certain respect by others of same mother, Christian brothers should respect bosses, pastors with such required respect.
Day 5
Philemon 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. NIV
Forgiveness is expected of all Christians because God forgave us. When you do wrong you should apologize.
Christian bosses must still expect obedience from subordinates but in turn they must treat them as brothers. Paul, although he is to be respected as Philemon’s pastor, did not demand it the way today’s ‘men of God’ are doing. He says in verse 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. It should not be for the pastor to demand respect but for the congregation to grant it. The congregation should learn how dangerous it is for a member to raise a finger against the ‘Lord’s anointed’.
Day 6
Philem 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. NIV
Friendship and Christian brotherhood makes you be able to predict your brother’s action .This way you are relaxed as you relate to him. This is what fellowship in church should bring .The book of Philemon shows this friendship between Onesmus, Paul and Philemon. Do I cultivate similar relationships with the people God has given me as friends? Can they predict my reactions as they relate with me? Or am I moody and unpredictable?
Given these day’s division and exploitation in church and society, it is clear this letter should be studied by the church even more than the previous generations. We need to be reminded about the brotherhood of all believers, the value of all men, and the need for good interpersonal relationship as testimony to the world.
Day 7
Philemon 22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. NIV
To be Christian friends means to be prayer partner with others. Paul was so sure that Philemon was praying for him that he assumed it. He then went on to state that their prayers will be heard and he will be released from prison.
Samuel told the Israelites that when they did not pray for them they would be sinning. It means that if God has brought any one into our relationship we must be expected to be so interested in their welfare that we will constantly take them to God in prayer.
The question is, “Do I really do this enough as I thank God for those who relate with me as my family or just as friends or partners ion the ministry?” I must admit I personally need to improve on this.
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[1] International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft
[2] International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft
[3] http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/kralis/060719
[4] http://www.stormlakepilottribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20331532&BRD=1304&PAG=461&dept_id=180485&rfi=6
[5] 13th Amendment to the Constitution that freed all slaves on December 6, 1865