Dear Faithful in Christ,
My name is Onesimus, a name that means "useful," though there was a time when I felt anything but. You may have heard of me through the Apostle Paul's letter to my master, Philemon, where my story unfolds not just as a runaway slave but as a testament to the transformative power of Christ's love and forgiveness.
I write to you under circumstances that are both harrowing and hopeful. My journey back to Philemon is fraught with the danger of severe punishment, or worse, under Roman law. Yet, it is also a pilgrimage of profound spiritual awakening. In my flight, I encountered Paul, then a prisoner. It was through Paul that the truth of the Gospel illuminated the darkest corners of my existence, changing me from a fugitive to a follower of Christ.
The gravity of returning to my master, bearing not just the letter from Paul but also the weight of newfound faith, is immense. Paul’s letter to Philemon isn't merely a request for my safe return, but a plea for reconciliation that transcends social and legal constructs. It embodies the essence of the Gospel—a call to forgive as we have been forgiven, to restore and renew broken relationships under the lordship of Christ.
Simultaneously, the message I carry to the Colossians, encapsulated in Paul’s profound letter, resonates with the themes of supreme reconciliation and the preeminence of Christ in all things. This letter, rich in doctrinal truth and practical advice, reminds us that Christ is sufficient for all needs and supreme over all creation. Through Him, the alienated are brought near, the estranged are adopted into God’s family, and the lost are found and redeemed.
In the heart of Paul's teachings to the Colossians is an assurance that faith in Christ alone is the cornerstone of salvation. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9). These words echo in my soul as I approach the moment of my reckoning with Philemon.
As Paul instructs in Colossians 3, we are to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature and clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience—bearing with each other and forgiving one another. If the Lord has forgiven us, so also must we forgive. This is not merely theoretical but intensely personal for me as I seek forgiveness and a new beginning with Philemon.
Paul’s reminder to the Colossians to devote themselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful, holds a special place in my heart. As I walk back into the life I fled, I am sustained by the power of prayer—prayers for courage, for mercy, and for the opportunity to demonstrate the change Christ has wrought in me.
The uncertainty of my future looms large. Yet, I am comforted by Paul’s words to Philemon, appealing to him on the basis of love to receive me not as a slave but as a beloved brother in the Lord. This appeal to kinship in Christ represents a radical upending of social norms, asserting that in Christ, there is no slave or free, but all are one (Galatians 3:28).
As I pen this letter, I am a testament to the life-altering power of the Gospel. From useless to useful, from slave to brother, from outcast to embraced—my story is one of hope and redemption. It is a narrative I share with you, encouraging you to look beyond societal labels and see the potential for transformation in Christ in every soul.
To all who read this letter, I extend an invitation to model the forgiveness and love exemplified by Christ. Let us not be defined by our past failures but be propelled by the grace that defines our future. Let us live as people of the cross—forgiven and forgiving, bound together by the love that has been poured out for us.
In closing, I ask for your prayers as I face the outcomes of my return. May God’s will be done, and may His grace be evident in whatever lies ahead.
In the boundless grace of our Lord,
Onesimus
From Onesimus: A Letter of Hope and Redemption