Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover

Dear Apostle Paul,

Thank you for sending Tychicus to bring news about how you’re faring while under house arrest there in Rome. It was so considerate of you to remind all of us here in Colossae about the gospel that Epaphras first brought to our small city five years ago. Your letter was so rich with encouragement and helpful instructions. I can’t wait to read your other letter that was sent to my brothers and sisters in Ephesus (once the saints in Laodicea get finished with it!). Nonetheless, I must confess I was at first confused last week at house church service at Philemon and Apphia’s home. What I mean is that I kind of felt bad for Philemon being called out in front of everyone else regarding the falling out he had last year with that run-away slave Onesimus. I too was shocked when Onesimus suddenly walked out from the servants’ quarters at the conclusion of Tychicus’s reading of your personal letter to Philemon. While it’s indeed great news that Onesimus repented and got baptized in just a short time after meeting up with you in Rome, I admit I was initially judging Philemon’s effectiveness at sharing his faith here in his own household. But upon further reflection, I see now with what high regard you have for our house church host. Yes, I too have been refreshed by Philemon’s brotherly love and hospitality.

I was also blown away by how gently you admonished brother Philemon to do the right thing. And you didn’t use your “spiritual authority” to coerce him to obey, but instead appealed to him on the basis of your love – love not only for our brother and fellow worker Philemon, but out of love for our new brother in the faith Onesimus as well. I am learning so much from you Paul about not judging people by what’s on the outside, but on the content of their character. What is more, I see now what you were really getting at in this companion letter: the power of the gospel to reconcile relationships! I look forward to being a better steward of this precious message of good news while I go about my business here in town and also during my travels throughout the Roman empire.

Brother, I realize that sometimes I just don’t pay careful enough attention to the heart behind the teachings you share with all of us here. I promise you before God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that henceforth I will dig deeper into the Word(s) the Holy Spirit has prompted you to write about. I greatly appreciate Tychicus being willing to bring back this short personal response to your letter. (He’s also bringing with him Philemon’s response to your request.) Oh, and by the way, please give a shout back to my fellow doctor buddy Luke. Grace be with you all as well.

Your partner in Christ,

Clay, the doctor, at Colossae.