S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Author: The author of the Book of Philemon was the apostle Paul (Philemon 1:1).Date of Writing: The Book of Philemon was written in approximately A. D. 60.Purpose of Writing: The letter to Philemon...

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November 15 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Justin Hale

'The epistle to Philemon' is a letter addressing 'slavery,' and the new commands of the Holy Spirit regarding 'birth class,' (one of evil's ongoing 'culture wars' also including race, gender, and education or intelligence level, Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11).

Why is this 'issue' still relevant to people who have 'outlawed' slavery?

The ending of 'slavery' as a recognized and 'legal' institution has actually been better for the 'slavery business' than anything ever done before in history. Our modern civilization has more actual 'slaves' than there were people as a total population during the height of 'modern' legal slavery in the 1800's.

Today, we just call them 'human traffic.' Their conditions are now 'unaddressable' because we have no institutions representing them. These 'slaves' are not only the tangible property of their 'owners,' forced to perform acts of economic value to them without compensation, but nearly all are now sexually exploited for money as well. Nearly half are minor age children either born to those already enslaved, illegally kidnapped, or 'tricked' into enslavement using the desperation of poverty, drug abuse or sexual 'temptations' surrounding the now 'openly tolerated' prostitution and 'pornography' industries.

'Universal tolerance' is what makes these atrocities 'palatable' even to those not directly participating in them. 'Slaves' exist all around us and pass us even in the streets, live in our own neighborhoods, or appear only in statistics as 'drug addicts,' or 'illegal immigrants.' Until recently, the universal availability and near anonymity of 'abortion' has also greatly helped to conceal these 'slaves,' allowing their owners to quickly terminate their often unintentional impregnation by various 'clients.' 

Do you think any of these evil men are like 'Philemon' the 'slave owner' who might be open to hearing a message of 'equal justice?'

Unlikely. 

That is why the Holy Spirit was clear even in these early days that fighting a 'culture war' is of NO REAL VALUE AT ALL, even if you 'win.' Satan just destroys many innocent people during the 'noble battles,' (like the American 'Civil War'), gives the 'winners' a sense of lasting self-righteousness, then uses the new 'shadows' created by a much larger 'criminal' enterprise to quietly expand the same evil to unprecedented new levels!

Oops.

This was the RIGHT advice after all:

"Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but with integrity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:22-24).

And this:

"Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it. But if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 

"For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men." (1 Corinthians 7:20-23).

The Holy Spirit is saying that a 'slave' is actually the Lord's 'freedman' because they have no legal burdens to bear. Their responsibilities are assigned by someone else and THAT person answers to others on their behalf. A 'free' person answers for themselves, must provide for themselves, protect themselves, negotiate for themselves. They are 'bound' by these obligations.

Thanks to the new 'powers' granted to government by the 'Civil War' each of us has been assigned a 'number,' without which we cannot do any business, travel, marry, use banks or money, even 'own' anything.

Every generation before us recognized this 'numbering' as a form of 'slavery' too. Are we TRULY free ourselves?

“...everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin... [only] if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.' (John 8:34,36).

February 22 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report