WEEK 48 – DAY 4

CHARGE IT TO MY ACCOUNT

So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back – not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. Philemon 17-21 (NIV)

Paul asked Philemon as a companion to welcome Onesimus just as he would welcome Paul. I recently read a book about the importance of companionship in Paul’s ministry. The obvious implication is that Philemon considers Paul a partner and brother and that he will obey what Paul is asking of him not only because of Paul’s authority as an apostle but because of the brotherly love that exists between the two because of their relationship with Christ. However, Paul does make the offer to repay anything that Onesimus owes Philemon, writing that I.O.U. in his own handwriting rather than using a secretary. Here we have a picture on a smaller scale of what the Lord has done for each of us. He paid our debt by taking our sin upon himself and paying for it by dying on the cross. As a fellow believer, Philemon would realize that Christ had paid his debt as well as the fact that Paul most likely was the one who led Philemon to the Lord. Therefore, Paul could be confident that he was sending Onesimus into an atmosphere of forgiveness and love. Because Christ allowed my sin to be imputed to His account, I should be willing to forgive or perhaps even pay another’s debt. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13). This past year I’ve read many books about the persecuted church and Christian martyrs around the world. Some of the most memorable stories are those in which a Christian would step forward and take the place of another man or woman, sometimes not even a fellow believer, condemned to death. They were willing to charge another person’s debt to their account and pay the ultimate price. What amazing love!

Father, give us the strength to love others as You love them. Help us to see You at work in the lives of new believers and to encourage them. Help us to be willing to sacrifice so that others might know You and grow in their relationship with You.