Philemon 13-14
I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.
Freedom is a central word in the essence of America. Our nation is founded on that principle but it is not as concrete as we might think. Some freedom is bad. My brother Scott recently passed away. He wanted to be free, off the grid, and sleep in the woods. It did not end well. Here, Paul and Onesimus were in different states of captivity. Paul was in prison and Onesimus was a slave, owned by Philemon. There was a major difference though. Paul and Onesimus, though in hardship, were entirely free from the bondage of sin through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Whether Philemon freed Onesimus or not, he was free indeed.
There are those in America who feel free but are enslaved and imprisoned by something. It may be financial hardship, addiction to drugs, alcohol, or pornography. It may be the quest for power and satisfaction through poor relationship choices. For Scott it was addiction. Only through the gospel of Jesus Christ can we be truly free. We can enjoy the liberties afforded us by our citizenship in the United States but it is the freedom given to us by the grace of Jesus Christ and our citizenship of heaven that liberates us. Compulsion and hardship are sure to come but so is Jesus.
O Heavenly Father, we praise you and worship you for the freedom we enjoy in America and in your arms. May we never stray from your liberating protection. In Jesus’ name. Amen.