Our recent Wednesday afternoon study of Philemon gave us an opportunity to consider how things are different in the church. Onesimus was Philemon’s slave. It appears Onesimus ran away from his master, encountered Paul, and was converted to Christ. Paul was sending him back to Philemon with this short letter encouraging him to receive Onesimus in the proper manner.

Onesimus was still Philemon’s slave. Becoming a Christian did not change that (1 Cor. 7:21-24). Paul addressed the master/slave relationship in several of his epistles (Eph. 6:5-9; Col. 3:22-4:1; 1 Tim. 6:1-2). Even when both parties were Christians, this social arrangement did not go away. Not only did slaves still have to serve Christian masters, because they were brethren they had to serve them in a more devoted manner. Christian masters weren’t commanded to release their slaves, but were warned to treat them in a just and fair manner, knowing they would answer to their own Master.

However, Philemon and Onesimus’ relationship now enjoyed the added spiritual dimension. “No longer as a slave but more than a slave – a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord” (Philemon 16). In the Lord (and His church), these two men were equals. Master and slave meant absolutely nothing in their standing before God in Christ.

There are numerous grounds upon which this world divides people: race, gender, age, social status, education, economics, etc. Becoming a Christian doesn’t change any of these standings in the world, but they aren’t to be brought into our standing before God. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).

Being a Jew didn’t give one better access to God than a non-Jew. Being a man didn’t make one more favored by God than a woman. Being a slave didn’t make one a second-class citizen in the kingdom. We are all equally important and enjoy an equal standing before God. We would do well to remember that.

This doesn’t mean roles that are assigned by God based on gender or experience disappear in the local church. Elders and deacons must be men, but not just any kind of men. They must be husbands and fathers who have spiritual wisdom and experience (1 Tim. 3:1-13). Those who lead in the worship must be men, but not just any kind of men. They must be holy men (1 Tim. 2:8) who are willing to develop and use talents to lead the congregation in worship. Those who teach in various classes must be faithful men and women who control their tongues and manifest good conduct and works done in the meekness of wisdom (2 Tim. 2:2; James 3).

Our nation currently excels in finding ways to divide people. We dare not bring this evil into the Lord’s church! When we overcome our differences and stand united as one in Christ, we shine as a beacon in this world of darkness and division. “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:20-21).