Philemon is wooed by love to let his slave go. Paul pleads with him in gentleness and meekness. This is how we are to love and preach the gospel.

First, Paul fathered Onesimus while in prison. vs10, “I appeal to you for my son, Onesimus. I fathered him while I was in chains.” Paul didn’t hold a pity party. He did what God commands in a difficult situation, and he shined brightly. Previously imprisoned at Philippi, he and Silas sang and prayed [Acts 16:25]. The prison opened, and the jailor was converted. They didn’t complain about ill treatment. They worshiped.

We can learn a lot here in America, Nigeria, and all over. Things are tough, but what are we going to do? Are we going to hate, or look up? Will we be bitter, or will we praise God? Are we going to complain, mumble, and murmur, or will we get more grace to preach Christ with love, joy, and peace? Philippians 2:14-15, “Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.”

The Apostles led the church in prayer and increased boldness, when they were persecuted [Acts 4:23-31]. They told God the happenings and asked for strength. Acts 4:31, “When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God’s message with boldness.” If we do the same, then we’ll shine brightly. If not, then we waste our suffering and dishonor Christ who saved us. Let’s not give up: Let’s look up!

Secondly, Paul calls Onesimus his own heart. Philemon 1:12, “I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.” This shows the love, affection, and care that we have for one another. Ministers aren’t making orphans. We begat people that we love dearly. The woman you led to Christ is not forgotten in your heart, and you want her lifted to the heights of heaven. The child you led to Christ is important to you.

Let us care for one another - pastor and people. Let us care for each other as brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and even as offspring in the faith. Let us be more than doctrinally accurate: let us love!

Thirdly, Paul wants Philemon’s good work to be voluntary. Vs13-14 “I wanted to keep Onesimus with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place. But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will.” This is how the gospel woos us. It gives us the love of God; it uses meekness and gentleness [2 Cor 10:1-5]. God condescends to beseech us! 2 Cor 5:20, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God!” Oh, what an amazing God to humble Himself to plead with men through human lips. Oh, how sweet He is.

He uses the law to terrorize, the commands to order, but He uses love to win us. He’s a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. There is life, if we obey, and He gives us sweet promises. He sets Himself as the Example of love to move us to love. Yes, He died for us, gives more grace, and He rewards obedience. Therefore, let love and gentleness be our tools. There’s something more important than MERELY BEING RIGHT! We must love people into submission, using persuasion, gentleness, and good arguments of grace.

The gospel transforms the life; it takes men who were “useless”, like Onesimus, and He makes us useful [Philemon 1:11]. He takes men like Paul, who were hard, proud, and blasphemous, and He transforms us into gentle and gracious pleaders for souls. Paul even learned this as he aged [vs9]. God takes men like Philemon and breaks their heart with love, so that they willingly love others at a cost to themselves!

Saints, has this transforming power hit you? Are you all in for love?