Outrageous Grace

I once again reflect on a message I heard, "Outrageous Grace". It was based on Philemon. The story of a slave, Onesimus, who ran away from his master Philemon, and his reconciliation to him. If justice was served in this story, Philemon had the right to kill Onesimus. Justice is getting what you deserve, and Onesimus deserved death according to the law. Paul did not ask Philemon to forgive him which would have been the merciful thing for him to do. Mercy is when you don't get what you deserve. Paul asked Philemon to receive him back, no longer as a slave, but as a dear brother. He was asking Philemon to give him the grace Philemon and Onesimus had already received in Christ. Grace is getting what you don't deserve.

We don't know how the story went, but Paul was confident that Philemon would do what he was asked to do and supposed to do as a believer. If I or you were Philemon, what would have we done in the same situation? Would we have served up justice? Would we give out mercy and pat ourselves on the back for that grand gesture? or Would we have extended outrageous grace? I probably would have given mercy. I doubt I would have gone the extra mile. God went the extra miel for us and gave us grace - that which we didn't deserve.