Jump Start # 3621

Philemon 15 “For perhaps he as for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever.”

It’s a simple word, but it is powerful in how it is found and used. The word is “perhaps.” Here in this short letter to a master named, Philemon, a member of the Colossian church, Paul sends not only his words and wishes, but he also sends a run-a-way slave.

Onesimus ran a way from Philemon. We are not told why. Was it for the sake of freedom? Was it to get away from an oppressive situation? It really doesn’t matter, and we, don’t know. The slave finds his way to Rome, the largest city in the Empire. How easy to hide and get lost in such a place. Somehow he connects with the apostle. He is converted. He is changed. He becomes useful and helpful to Paul. In many ways, he now serves Paul.

But, something isn’t right. He doesn’t belong to Paul. Finders-keepers, loser-weepers is not in the character of a Christian. He needs to return to Philemon. That’s the rightful thing. What will Philemon do? Will he teach him a lesson through violence? Will he use him as an example, so others won’t run? This is why Paul has written this letter.

The run-a-way, much like the prodigal in Luke 15, is returning different. He’s changed. He is now a Christian. Christian to Christian—it’s time for grace, forgiveness and trust. Interestingly, as the Colossian letter is read before the church, there are sections about the master and slave relationship. How personal this would have been.

But in our verse today, the word, ‘perhaps,’ is used. Perhaps all of this happened on purpose. Perhaps this was designed by God. Perhaps God intended the slave to return home as a saint. But, Paul says, “perhaps.” He perhaps it because he doesn’t know. Much like Mordecai telling Esther, that she may been put in the position of a queen for such a time as this. Perhaps. Don’t know for sure.

What’s missing these days is the “perhaps” aspect. People declare God did this, God intended this, God wanted this, as if there was some private communication between them and God. Did God spare the former president from being assassinated? Perhaps. Perhaps, God wasn’t involved. We don’t know for sure.

Some thoughts for us:

First, we must understand all that we know of God is what He has revealed to us. No one knows the mind of a person, Paul told the Corinthians, except it be revealed. No one knows what God is thinking or doing, except what He has revealed. There are so many events that we must use the word “perhaps.”

Jonah: the storm…the fish…God designed. We know that because He told us.

A man born blind…for the glory of God. He tells us that in John 9.

Hezekiah being given 15 more years to live after he was declared a dead man. God was behind that. We know because of what Scriptures tell us.

What about Russia invading Ukraine—plan of God? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

What about a destructive storm—plan of God? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

What about a disease—plan of God? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

Second, perhaps sits in the middle of the scales of balance. Perhaps yes. Perhaps no. We simply do not know. We can guess. We can build a theology around it. But at the end of the day, it remains perhaps. We build our faith upon what we know and not suppositions, ideas and perhaps. We stand upon the Scriptures, not feelings, emotions or perhaps. What remains and what doesn’t change is the word of God. Perhaps is an idea, a suggestion, a perspective. Perhaps is based upon how we see things. Our perhaps can be totally off base. Stand with with what we know, and that’s the word of God.

Third, whether it’s from the Lord or not, we know what we ought to do. We must glorify His name and busy ourselves in His kingdom. That’s what we find in Philemon. Whether God was involved with this or not, we must still honor the Lord by doing His will.

We do better, when we speak with certain what is absolute in the Scriptures. The guessing, speculations and assumptions fall under the category of perhaps. Speak as the Bible speaks, was the motto of the ole’ Restoration Movement. It would be good to dust that off and start believing it again.

Perhaps…but even if it isn’t, we must do what is right.

Roger