The Bridge Builder

God calls us not to burn bridges, but to build them. We are called to restore people and relationships, and the shortest surviving letter of Paul's centers on this concept. Paul had received and ministered to an escaped slave named Onesimus. Upon sending the slave back to his master, Philemon, Paul wrote, urging that Philemon send the slave back to Paul in order that Paul might free him and continue to minister to him. This touchy subject demonstrates the importance of maintaining relationships rather than going scorched earth on those who we disagree with or who practice unbiblical beliefs.