The Merciful MasterSample

Sacrificing for Good

English preacher John Henry Jowett would repeatedly remind his students, “Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing.” Doing the right thing for the sake of God often entails sacrifice. Paul who found himself deprived of his freedom and being under arrest in Rome now also forgoes the company of his friend Onesimus. Onesimus had been graciously redeemed to become an indispensable assistant for the apostle that sending him away was a huge loss. Onesimus had become a son to him. Nevertheless, the apostle does it for it was the right thing to do. For Paul to keep Onesimus without the approval of his master Philemon would have been tantamount to theft. While Paul certainly did not consider Onesimus as a piece of property, the fact remained that under Roman law, Onesimus was a runaway slave belonging to Philemon. 

Paul insists on doing the right thing even if it meant depriving himself. Paul honors his friend Philemon by sending back Onesimus. Paul does hope that Philemon would send Onesimus right back to him. However, he would not presume the goodness of their friendship and keep Onesimus without his approval. Paul would not compel Philemon to part with his slave. If he did so, then Philemon’s goodness would have ceased to be good for goodness cannot be coerced. Thus, Paul offers his friend the opportunity to serve him by sending back Onesimus to Rome. In other words, Paul offers Philemon an opportunity to sacrifice something for the sake of the gospel. 

The word sacrifice comes from the Latin, sacrificium which means to make something holy by offering to a deity. Thus, when something is sacrificed for the sake of the gospel, it is rendered holy in the Lord’s sight. The Lord blesses sacrifice from a generous heart. The Christian counts no sacrifice too high to pay in doing what is good and right for the sake of the gospel. Our Savior Jesus Christ gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works (Titus 2:13-14). In the words of Isaac Watts, 

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.