The book of Philemon is only a single chapter, a single letter written for a very important reason.  In this letter, Paul issues a plea  on behalf of a runaway slave.  This slave was named Onesimus which means " useful."  We are not given the details, but somehow this slave came into contact with Paul while he was a prisoner in Rome and a very special bond was formed between them. Paul became like a father to Onesimus and although he wanted to keep him with him because he was such a comfort and help, he also wanted to do the right thing and send him back to his owner, Philemon. 

We know that Onesimus was serving in the home of a Christian family from the greeting Paul gives in his letter : “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,” (v1). But Paul is aware that because Onesimus did not leave his master under favorable terms, there could be ill feelings or perhaps hesitancy to receive him with open arms. 

 Paul wants Philemon to know that Onesimus has changed and Paul pleads on behalf of Onesimus for full forgiveness and restoration. “I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.” (V10-12)

Can you see in this story the same love of our Heavenly Father.  He takes us as we are, running away from righteousness to indulge our sinful desires.  We were of no use to Him and yet He takes us under his wing and transforms us through a close relationship into a vessel that is useful for glorifying Him and useful for the work of His kingdom. He gives us full forgiveness and restoration and He tells us we are His very heart. 

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are...”‭‭ (1 John‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭)

Paul also references that there may have been a divine purpose in Onesimus leaving his master and ending up being taught of Paul. “For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.” ( v15-16). We may see our loved ones go down wrong paths and make foolish decisions, but God in his sovereignty can redeem such situations and intervene in ways we might not imagine possible.  This should encourage us to keep praying for the lost and wandering souls in our lives.  Pray that God would pursue them with a great love.

Paul closes his letter with a promise to make good on Onesimus' behalf anything that he owes and to take full responsibility for restitution.  “So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self." (v17-19)

Again, we see the picture of Christ making full restitution and payment for our sins and debts.  On our behalf, Christ reconciles us to God.  God accepts us as he would accept Christ.  

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,”‭‭ (Colossians‬ ‭1:19-22‬ ‭)

This letter is a beautiful display of love, forgiveness, transformation and restoration.  Paul intervenes to restore Onesimus to Philemon.  Christ intervened to provide full restoration between us and our Heavenly Father.  We should praise and thank him for seeing value in us and we should strive to see value in others.  Pray for others, forgive them and desire to promote restoration whenever possible.