Demonstrating Christianity: vv 15-25
“Let me have this benefit from you in the Lord!”
Naming ourselves as Christians is frequently easier than demonstrating Christianity in daily life. Paul is now offering Philemon an opportunity to put his faith into action. Our responsibility is to welcome back the person who has made a mistake, just as the Father welcomed back the Prodigal Son.
Paul's request is that Onesimus be received with the same hospitality Paul would receive. While he offers to make financial restitution for any loss, Paul really wants Philemon to give Onesimus a full pardon.
The offer of restitution shows us that while God can forgive, God does not free us from the earthly consequences of what we have done. Sometimes those consequences are prison, broken homes, lost jobs, or disease.
Philemon owed a different kind of debt to Paul The apostle was the source of Philemon's knowledge of Christ. With the witness of Paul, Philemon would never have known the love of God demonstrated by Jesus Christ.
We, too, have received this knowledge. To each of us come opportunities for demonstrating our Christianity in our actions. Each of us has been given the power to do something special.
For Reflection: In what way can I demonstrate my Christianity?
A Prayer Seed:
As God to give thee skill in comfort's art,
That thou may'st consecrated be and set apart
Upon a life of sympathy,
For heavy is the weight of all in every heart,
And comforters are needed much of Christlike touch.
Anna E. Hamilton (1846-1876)
