Read: Philemon 8–18 | Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 30–31; Philemon
In his book Spiritual Leadership, J. Oswald Sanders explores the qualities and the importance of tact and diplomacy.
“Combining these two words,” Sanders says, “the idea emerges of skill
in reconciling opposing viewpoints without giving offense and without
compromising principle.”
During Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, he became the spiritual mentor and close friend of a runaway slave named Onesimus, whose owner was Philemon. When Paul wrote to Philemon, a leader of the church in Colossae, asking him to receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ, he exemplified tact and diplomacy. “Although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. . . . [Onesimus] is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord” (Philem. 8–9, 16).
Paul, a respected leader of the early church, often gave clear
commands to the followers of Jesus. In this case, though, he appealed to
Philemon on the basis of equality, friendship, and love. “I did not
want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would
not seem forced but would be voluntary” (v. 14).
In all our relationships, may we seek to preserve harmony and principle in the spirit of love.
During Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, he became the spiritual mentor and close friend of a runaway slave named Onesimus, whose owner was Philemon. When Paul wrote to Philemon, a leader of the church in Colossae, asking him to receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ, he exemplified tact and diplomacy. “Although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. . . . [Onesimus] is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord” (Philem. 8–9, 16).
In all our relationships, may we seek to preserve harmony and principle in the spirit of love.
Father in heaven, in all our relationships, give us grace and wisdom to be wise leaders, parents, and friends.
Leaders who serve will serve as good leaders.
INSIGHT:
Paul’s appeal of love to Philemon was rooted in his spiritual
parenthood. In other letters, Paul spoke of himself as a father to those
he brought to Christ (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Titus 1:4; Gal. 4:19). In
this personal letter, Paul noted that Onesimus had become his spiritual
son (v. 10). Then at the end of his letter, to reinforce his appeal,
Paul reminded Philemon that he too was his spiritual son (v. 19). Paul
used his fatherly authority to bring about reconciliation. It was the
appeal of a father’s love and an appeal to family love for the
reconciliation of two spiritual siblings.
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