Lesson’s From a Runaway Slave_01Philemon 1-7Paul wrote this letter to a friend in the church at Colosse named Philemon. Paul was in prison in Rome at the time he wrote to Philemon.In verse 1, Paul calls Philemon his “dearly beloved and fellowlabourer.” Paul had actually led Philemon to Christ vs. 19. They were more than just passing acquaintances. They were buddies, friends; they had served God together side by side. They had a very personal and loving relationship, and this comes through in the letter.Paul is going to get to the core issue of the letter beginning in verse 8. Paul is writing to Philemon about a runaway servant of Philemon’s named Onesimus. Paul had led Onesimus to Christ while in Rome and so Paul plays the role of a mediator between the two men.But before Paul gets to this issue, he spends the first seven verses talking about Philemon and his Christian walk.Our goal should be to be like Philemon.Paul wrote this letter to a friend in the church at Colosse named Philemon. Paul was in prison in Rome at the time he wrote to Philemon.When you are a Philemon, you don’t pick and choose who you will love and be hospitable to. You love all the saints.As your faith begins to rest in the truth of who you are in Christ, you begin to allow Him to live through you and put Christ on display in your dealings with others. You become a modern day Philemon!