CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY
PHILEMON 1:10-17
(Antioch Baptist Church: Sunday, June 15th, 2025)
I would like to talk to you today about “Christian Integrity”. In my preparation for this message I stumbled across an article by a man named Mark Stinnet. In it he says:
“Frustration? That’s an understatement. Times have changed. There was a time when a man’s word was his bond. A gentleman’s agreement meant something. A firm handshake sealed the deal. It was a time when integrity and honesty were held high as marks of true character. Nowadays everything needs a legal document …because so many people are not trustworthy. Frustrating, to say the least. What changed? People still make claims. People still desire for their word to be their bond. Yet, words are spoken, promises broken.”
We all know what it is like to be let down and even lied to by individuals whom we are supposed to be able to trust, even those who profess to follow Jesus. Though Philemon is one of the shortest Books in the New Testament, it provides us with several examples of integrity in the lives of God’s people. This letter shows us the importance of doing what is right and keeping our word even when it is not easy.
Webster’s dictionary provides several entries for the word “integrity”; one definition is “uncompromising adherence to moral and ethical principles.” Another definition is “uprightness (or soundness) of character.”
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for integrity is “tummah” which means “the condition of being without blemish, completeness, perfection, sincerity, soundness, uprightness, wholeness.” In the New Testament, integrity means “honesty and adherence to a pattern of good works.”
Writing to Titus, Paul said, “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” (Titus 2:7-8).These characteristics are not just expected of Pastors and church leaders; they are attributes that should mark the lives of every person who belongs to Jesus.
- King David does a wonderful job of describing a person of integrity in Psalm 15:1-4. There he says:
“LORD, who can dwell in your tent?
Who can live on your holy mountain?
The one who lives blamelessly, practices righteousness,
and acknowledges the truth in his heart—
who does not slander with his tongue,
who does not harm his friend
or discredit his neighbor,
who despises the one rejected by the LORD
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his word whatever the cost”
If you are a Christian, each of these attributes should be seen in your life.
- As we examine Paul’s letter to Philemon we can observe several examples of Christian integrity. In verses 10-14 we see:
PAUL’S INTEGRITY
Onesimus was a slave, as a result he belonged to Philemon. However he ran away from his master, departed Colossae, and headed to Rome where he encountered the Apostle Paul and came to faith in Jesus Christ. Now this rebellious slave of Philemon had become a willing servant of the Apostle Paul. Though he had previously been “unprofitable”, Paul now declares that he is “profitable”; so much so that he says, “I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.” However, upon learning that Onesimus legally belonged to Philemon, Paul knew that it would not be right for another man’s servant to be serving him without his permission. This is why he said in verse 14 “But without your consent I wanted to do nothing”.
Around this same time Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians. In it he said, “Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as you would Christ.”(Ephesians 6:4) It would have been exceedingly hypocritical for Paul to write these words and then selfishly keep Onesimus without Philemon’s permission. It would have also been illegal. Roman law stipulated that slaves were the property of their masters and that anyone who harbored or aided a runaway slave could face legal consequences.
Paul wrote this letter from a Roman prison and he would have greatly benefitted from Onesimus’ service and companionship; it is clear that sending him back was something of a personal sacrifice. However, instead of attempting to justify doing what was wrong, Paul acted with integrity and did what was right.
I am sure that his actions were a positive example for Onesimus and served to motivate him to respond to his situation with integrity as well. Let’s take a moment and examine:
ONESIMUS’ INTEGRITY
I would imagine that this new convert was not excited when Paul informed him that the proper thing to do was to return to Philemon and make amends for the wrongs he had committed against him. Remember, before his conversion he had rebelled against his master and possibly even stolen something from him.
Many people in similar situations today would attempt to justify their decision not to make amends with those whom they have wronged by saying “That happened before I met Jesus; I am a new creation in Christ, old things have passed away and all things have become new”. However, those who are truly in Christ will have the desire to acknowledge their past sins and repair as many fractured relationships as possible.
When Zacchaeus encountered Jesus he said, “if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold” (Luke 19:8). Jesus did not command Zacchaeus to do this, rather it was his natural response to meeting the Savior. We do not make amends and seek to right wrongs in an attempt to attain salvation; however, the desire to do so will be present in the lives of those who are in Christ.
I do not pretend that it was easy for Onesimus to humble himself and return to Philemon and face up to the wrongs that he had done. I am sure that the journey back to Colossae was a long one and there must have been an element of dread as he approached Philemon’s house. Regardless, Onesimus did what was right; he acted with Christian integrity.
Fortunately for Onesimus, he was headed back to face a man who possessed a great deal of Christian integrity himself. This leads us to consider:
PHILEMON’S INTEGRITY
It may seem contradictory to describe Philemon as both a slave owner and a man who possessed Christian integrity. However, it is important to understand that Roman slavery was much different than the detestable practice that we know from American history. Philemon did not kidnap Onesimus or purchase him on the slave market and demand his involvement in forced labor. It is much more likely that Onesimus owed Philemon some debt and agreed to serve him until that debt was paid. This may be the explanation for the widespread belief that Onesimus robbed Philemon in some way, thus prompting Paul to say, “if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it”.
It is a shame that many people have taken this beautiful letter and attempted to use it to justify slavery. It is also a shame that others would dismiss the truths contained in this letter on account of the slave/master relationship that is recorded therein. It slavery wrong? Absolutely! Was Philemon a man who possessed Christian integrity? He most certainly was! This whole situation was possible because his integrity. Paul was comfortable in sending Onesimus back and confident in Philemon’s response because of what he had seen in his life previously.
The honorable character of Philemon is seen throughout this letter. Paul calls him a “dear friend” and a “coworker” in the gospel ministry. This is a man who hosted a church in his own home. His friendship was so important to Paul that he regularly thanked God for him, mentioning him in his prayers. Paul referenced Philemon’s “love for all the saints and the faith (he has) in the Lord Jesus. This man was a servant of Christ who had “refreshed the hearts of the saints”.
Because of his proven character, Paul trusted that he would welcome Onesimus the same way that he would have accepted him. No longer treating him as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. In verse 21 Paul says, “Since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.”
Philemon had been wronged by Onesimus and both Roman law and the Mosaic Law gave Philemon the right to punish this runaway slave. Though I am sure that there was part of him that wanted justice and vengeance, he was being asked to forgive Onesimus and show him mercy. This was something that could not be done in the flesh, but if Philemon was walking in the Spirit, the Lord would enable him to act with Christian integrity.
It is vitally important for us to walk in the Spirit and live lives that exhibit Christian integrity. By examining the actions of the three most prominent men in this letter we can see certain traits that will be apparent in those who possess Christian integrity. First of all:
CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY INVOLVES HONESTY
One synonym of integrity is honesty. Honesty implies “a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way”. Are you known as being one who keeps their word? Are you trustworthy and dependable? James said, “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation” (James 5:12).In this passage James is referring to a practice that was common in his day; swearing an oath to convince someone else that you were telling the truth or that you would keep a promise. This is akin to someone in our day saying, “I swear on my mama’s grave that I am not lying!”. Jesus forbids engaging in such oaths in Matthew 5:37; He said, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”
“Truthfulness should be the absolute norm for those who trust in Christ. Our simple yes or no should be completely binding since deception is never an option for us. If an oath is required to convince someone of our honesty or intent to be faithful, it suggests we may not be known for telling the truth in other circumstances.” (Source:https://www.bibleref.com/James/5/James-5-12.html)
Paul states that it was his desire to keep Onesimus with him, however he was honest with himself and he was honest with Philemon. Instead of ignoring reality, Paul set out to do what was appropriate in this situation.
Many times we are not honest with others because we refuse to be honest with ourselves. There may be certain issues in your life that you know are not appropriate. You know that you are handling certain situations in ways that are contradicting the scriptures. If you are to live a Christ honoring life it is imperative that you take the proper steps to live with integrity and honesty.
- Intertwined with honesty is honor. This leads us to the fact that:
CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY INVOLVES HONOR
Another synonym of integrity is honor. Honor suggests “an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.” Honor involves more than saying the right thing and following through with it; a person of honor does the right thing even when no one else is looking. A person of honesty, honor, and integrity will do the right thing even when it hurts.
In our day we have come to expect lies and broken promises from politicians, entertainers, attorneys, media personalities, and even many of our coworkers, friends, & family members. Tragically, we live in a day when it is becoming increasingly difficult to trust the word or believe the motives of our own brothers and sisters in Christ.
In 20 years in ministry there have been far too many occasions when I have encountered professing Christians who commit to teach a class, lead a ministry, serve in some capacity, or participate in certain events, and fail to honor their word and keep their commitments. This lack of integrity is often frustrating and sometimes infuriating. Furthermore, God calls it an abomination. (Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.)
An abomination is something that is detestable, morally repugnant, or offensive in God's eyes. Abominations are things that God hates because they are offensive to Him and His character. It should be sobering to us that telling lies and not acting faithfully are seen by God in the same way as idolatry, occult practices, child sacrifice, and immoral sexual relationships such as homosexuality & adultery.
Each of the men that we have examined today were men of integrity who acted in an honorable way even though it may have been difficult, inconvenient, or intimidating. Each of us needs to examine our lives and ensure that we the same way. If so, then we will be people who honor our commitments & fulfill our promises. Moreover, we will not just do enough to “get by” we will carry out our obligations to the best of our ability. (whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. – Colossians 3:23-254)
If we live with honesty, honor, and integrity we will arrive early, stay late; we will even sacrifice recreation and relaxation if necessary to do what we have agreed to do!
This applies in church, at work, at home, and anywhere we go.
Those who live with honesty, honor, and integrity will also be quick to forgive and possess an intense desire for fractured relationships to be restored. (We will consider this more closely in the next sermon). The reality is forgiveness and restored relationships are not possible if we do not live with Christian integrity. At the same time we cannot possess Christian integrity if we are not willing to forgive and if we fail to seek the restoration of fractured relationships.
I encourage you examine the actions of Paul, Onesimus, & Philemon and then assess your own life. Are you an honest person, an honorable person; one who offers forgiveness and seeks to repair damaged relationships? If not, then you cannot say that you are living with Christian integrity. If you are not living with Christian integrity you are not living a life that pleases the Lord and points others to Him. This is a dangerous way to live and I encourage you to make things right today.
There are others in this assembly who are clearly not living with Christian integrity and the reason is not that you are a bad Christian. It is not because you are a “infant in Christ” that hasn’t been discipled properly. The reason that you do not exhibit honesty, honor, and forgiveness is because you have never met the Savior. I am glad to report that the same Jesus who performed such a radical transformation in the life of this rebellious slave named Onesimus can transform your life immediately and eternally. I encourage you to repent and believe in Him today. If you will, the natural result will be this wonderful trait that we call “Christian Integrity”.
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