Philemon 17-19
17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.
Philemon had once owned a man named Onesimus as a slave. Onesimus ran away, causing financial hardship to Philemon. IN a strange twist of God’s sovereignty, Onesimus ran into Paul, came to Christ, and is now heading back to Philemon.
Paul does not merely request that Philemon forgive his repentant former slave. He actually steps in and makes a legal pledge on Onesimus’ behalf. Paul states that, if Onesimus has wronged Philemon or owes him money, Paul will be responsible to pay it back. Notice the statement that Paul makes in which he says he is writing this with his own hand. This is a legal notice that Paul truly is willing to take on Onesimus’ debt owed to Philemon.
Many times in the church, we will see two Christian brothers and sisters who have reasons to be upset with one another. Many times, we will desire that the unity of the body be restored. What this passage lets us know is just how important that unity should be to us. Paul is actually willing to be financially responsible for Onesimus’ wrongs if only it will bring about unity in the body. We too must be willing to go to great lengths in order to see that Christians who are in conflict are reconciled to one another.
What are you willing to do for the sake of unity? Are you willing to risk your own personal comfort or honor to see two brothers or sisters reconciled with one another? Are you willing to help a weaker brother make right his wrongs? Do you know someone who you might be able to help be reconciled to another? It is our duty as family members to see that our family members are unified.
Pastor Travis Peterson 