Paul wrote one other book while a prisoner in Rome the first time, the book of Philemon. It is one of the prison epistles. Philemon was a wealthy man who likely came to faith in Christ during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. He lived in Colosse and the church there met in his home. 

 

It has been said, “The Lord looks not for ability, nor inability, but availability.” You will see this beautifully illustrated when you read the book of Philemon. 

 

Being Philemon’s slave Onesimus was not ready to accept his Christianity. He probably said to himself, “If I was rich like him then I’d become a Christian too.” When he stole from Philemon and ran away God led him to Paul in prison. Watching Paul coping in difficult circumstances made him see that Christianity was not only for the privileged, it was also for the forgotten or disadvantaged like prisoners and slaves. 

 

Paul who was available to God in prison was used to help Onesimus trust in Christ. As Onesimus made himself available to God he became profitable to Paul. But Paul felt obligated to send him back to Philemon, his master. Paul was confident he would now also be profitable there. The letter was written to encourage Philemon to make himself available as an instrument in the hands of God to lovingly accept back his runaway slave.  Paul wanted him to see Onesimus as a brother and help this young believer grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. 

 

This is a picture of true, but also tough love. It is also a picture of availability being the name of the game in the church of Jesus Christ.