Sin - Irrational Self Destruction

The ancients have always noted that sin is a perversion of the good. As such, it only exists because of the good. However, in seeking the destruction of the good, it irrationally seeks its own demise.

Freely Enslaved - Free to Redeem

¹⁵ If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand him over to his master. ¹⁶ Let him live among you wherever he likes and in whatever town he chooses. Do not oppress him. --Deut. 23:15-16

The Law is clear. Fugitive slaves are to find refuge in our midst. The Jewish people were a bunch of fugitive slaves from Egypt, how could they send slaves back to their masters, when God had not sent them back to Egypt?

In the New Testament, we find Paul, a man well-versed in Scripture, returning a runaway slave, Onesimus, to a brother in Christ at Colossae! Did Paul not memorize his memory verse one week, or was something deeper going on here?

I think there are three reasons why Paul acts in a way contrary to this command:

1. Sent Onesimus back as a brother, not a slave, because

2. He (Paul) took the slave debt upon himself. Therefore,

3. Onesimus was wiling to lose his freedom and become a slave to all for the Lord's glory and the saving of many.

Let's treat each one in more detail.

1. Onesimus was returning as a brother, not a slave.

In Philemon 16, Paul tells Philemon that he is sending Onesimus back, "no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother." Paul was confident in Philemon's kindheartedness and ability to follow the Holy Spirit. He was also confident in the Holy Spirit's work in Onesimus's life such that he was willing to call Onesimus a brother and send him back. But to send him back as a brother, is to restore a family. To send him back as a slave would be treason. But Paul sees this as a different situation than that of a slave and master, a distinction that is relationally lost in the Gospel.

2. Paul paid the slave debt.

Paul starts this letter not on the basis of his apostleship, but on the basis of his state as a prisoner. Not only was he a physical prisoner when he met Onesimus and wrote this letter, but elsewhere he speaks of being a prisoner in another sense. In 1 Corinthians 9:19, Paul says, "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible." Paul doesn't send Onesimus back as a slave. He sends him back as brother, because he has assumed the debt! Paul is the prisoner. He has become the slave!

Why would/could he do this. Well, Paul was not the first one to broach this command found in Deuteronomy. The LORD, Creator of Heaven and Earth, desired to save sinful man, who through Adam had become slaves to sin and death. When we sought refuge in Him, he didn't send us back, but He sent His own Son as a slave so that we might go free. In the same way, Paul here mediates a deal where Onesimus' debts are transferred to him, so that Onesimus can be restored to his master as a brother.

3. Onesimus was willing to make himself a slave to everyone.

Finally, Onesimus desired to (or was at least willing to) return to his former master. He had served with Paul to the degree that Paul considered him useful (v11 - a play on his name) and even sent the letter to Colossae via him. That very letter Paul teaches, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it...with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord." Onesimus was likely convinced by Paul and the Holy Spirit to return in faithfulness to his earthly master as a sign of his submission to his Heavenly Master and let the chips fall where they may.

Not only that, but like Paul, he was willing to make himself a slave to everyone so that he might win as many as possible. Onesimus had been discipled by Paul and most definitely had a compassionate and evangelistic heart. He was willing to set aside his new found freedom in order to show grace and mercy to those he served.