PROCLAMATION
“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.”
Philemon 1:17-18 (NIV)
EXPLANATION
These words were written by the apostle
Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to Philemon, a fellow
preacher, and his wife Apphia, and to their son Archippus. Paul began this personal letter to his friend
Philemon to ask a favor of him. Paul
wants Philemon to accept Onesimus, a slave who ran away from him and is now a
believer in Christ, as a brother and not as a slave. (Philemon 1:15-16) He says to Philemon, “… welcome him as you
would welcome me …” (Philemon 1:17-18) The church meets in their home and Paul wants
Onesimus to be welcome there as a brother.
APPLICATION
We all have done wrong and at times we need someone to
plead our case. That is what Christ is
doing in heaven as He sits at the right hand of God, The Father, making
intersessions for us. (Romans 8:34, Colossians 3:1, and Hebrews 12:2) This is how we should demonstrate our love
for our brothers in Christ. We should
speak up for our brothers, not tear them down, and speak highly of them to
others. And as believers, we should
welcome all believers as brothers.
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