That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus. I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
Philemon 1:8-16 NLT
How should Christian leaders motivate people to action? How should Christians follow their leaders?
Paul was writing to Philemon, a Christian brother from Colossae that Paul knew. While in prison in Rome, Paul also got to know a runaway slave named Onesimus, who became a Christian and was very useful to Paul. Onesimus was Philemon’s slave. Paul wrote this short letter to ask a bold favor: he wanted Philemon to treat Onesimus with kindness (and probably to release him). Philemon had the legal right to punish Onesimus, but Paul asked him as a Christian brother to do the right thing. Since we have this letter, we can safely assume that Philemon kept this letter and did what Paul asked.
Christian leaders lead best when they appeal to what is right and don’t resort to demanding. Paul could have demanded his request to Philemon (who in a sense owed him, v.19), but he asked it as a favor, appealing to Philemon to do the right thing. The goal is not to appeal to a personality but call people to follow Christ and do what is right, even if it is counter cultural. We all need good leaders to spur us on. We are called to follow godly leaders as a way of ultimately following Christ. We never surrender our thinking but use wisdom to discern the will of God. We then follow Christ no matter what.
Who are godly leaders that you allow to speak into your life? If you are a leader, how can you make sure that you don't make demands on people, but appeal to what is righ?
