Philemon I
For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. (Philemon 7 ESV)
Nobody’s Perfect
Scripture is on the opposite track than our present cancel culture. And to be clear, it is not just one side of the political spectrum that condemns a person for a particular failing. Both sides (all sides) do this.
But not Paul.
He is writing to Philemon with some serious criticisms. A slave of Philemon’s, Onesimus, has run away. And both Philemon and Onesimus are Christians.
Yet Paul begins his letter praising Philemon for his refreshing work in the Kingdom of God.
Yes, Philemon is a slaveholder… and maybe not even a very kind slave owner. Today, we are not even sure what that phrase would mean…
This is about more than cancel culture, though. This is about how Philemon is viewed by Paul, and how we are viewed by God.
I have done some pretty serious sinning in my life. And if God canceled me for them, I would be completely doomed.
But God sees more than my sin… He sees my sins erased by Christ’s atoning work. AND God sees the value that I am to His Kingdom, even with my terrible sins! He sees that value in the same way He sees my sin, actually. He sees Christ instead of my sin, and the sin is erased. He sees my efforts in the Kingdom of God, and sees them as awesome and wonderful because really, in fact, behind the scenes, in God’s eyes, He sees His beloved Son at work in me.
Christian Cancel Culture denies the power of Christ over every part of our lives.