Paul was prepared to take a risk . . . the slave, Onesimus, was willing to take an even greater risk . . . all out of respect for free will. I don’t think anyone would have argued with Paul if he had just kept Onesimus with him because it was “the right thing” or “the God thing” to do. I’m sure that Onesimus would have preferred staying with Paul rather than returning to his master and the possible consequences he faced as a runaway slave. But there’s something about free will that they both thought was worth the risk . . . something about free will and the glory of God that made it the right risk to take.

“Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I appeal to you . . . I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains . . . I am sending him back . . . whom I wished to keep with me . . . that he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel . . . But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.” (Philemon 8-14)

Onesimus the slave longed for freedom. I’m guessing that because his master, Philemon, was a Christian that he would have as good a slave situation as one could have . . . but he was still a slave. So he bolted . . . not smart, if he got caught . . . but worth the risk for freedom. Somehow he ends up in Rome and “coincidentally” comes in contact with the apostle Paul who is “in chains”. And there Onesimus is “begotten” of Paul . . . he is born again . . . Paul leads him to saving faith in the Lord . . . and if the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed (John 8:36). Onesimus could not have imagined this type of freedom . . . free from the burden of sin . . . free from the guilt of the past . . . free indeed!

And now he was free to return to his master . . . that his master might be free to release him to Paul’s service.

What a premium our God places on freedom and free will. He purchased freedom on the cross of Calvary with the precious blood of His One and Only Son. He declared freedom available to all . . . but “not out of compulsion, as it were, but voluntary” . . . for those who are willing . . . for those who by faith choose to repent and receive the gift offered.

That’s why there is rejoicing in heaven over a sinner who repents . . . it’s because, by the grace of God and the work of the Spirit, they respond of their own choice . . . according to their free will. All who have come to Christ have “volunteered” to become His children (not hard) . . . to become His servants (mmm, maybe a bit harder) . . . to say “No” to their old man and old ways and “Yes” to living for Him.

And the exercise of free will continues to be such an integral part of the Christian life. Once saved . . . once converted . . . we aren’t turned into androids responding affirmatively to His every command. Far from it . . . God takes a risk. He implants His Spirit . . . offers to us His word . . . and then asks us to choose to read it . . . and learn from it . . . and follow Him by it . . . not out of compulsion . . . but of our own free will . . . it’s called obedience. And why does He give us the choice to obey or not? . . . why the premium on free will? . . . why take the risk? Because love demands it. His love for us . . . and the opportunity for us to demonstrate our love for Him.

Jesus’ love for us was shown as He willingly went to the cross to redeem us. And our love for Him is shown when we, of our own free will, choose to obey Him . . . “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15) . . . ” “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21)

It’s a risk giving people a choice . . . they can always choose wrong . . . they have the freedom to say “No.” But the reward is greater. When God’s people, of their own free will say “Yes” to God’s commands, then we know we truly love Him who first loved us . . . and He joyfully receives our love . . .and all the glory. It’s the right risk to take, amen?