Lesson 5
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we acknowledged that Your are El Ellyon, El Olam, El Roi, ams El Sheddai. We confessed that we are sinners. We pray for the forgiveness of sins, in Jesus name, Amen.
Philemon: 17-22, charge everything into my account
VV 17-19, 17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay, not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.
Paul told Philemon to charge to his account all the criminal offences that Onesimus committed by running away from him unlawfully. Paul highlighted that he wrote this epistle himself. Paul reminded Philemon that he owed him his life because he saved his soul through evangelism. Paul took full responsibility for Onesimus’ debt to Philemon to procure his forgiveness and freedom from Philemon.
VV 20-22, 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
Paul drew spiritual strength by being joyful in the Lord. Paul appealed to Philemon to refresh his heart by forgiving and free Onesimus. Paul was confident that Philemon would agree to forgive and free Onesimus. He requested Philemon to prepare a guest room for him so that he could visit him upon release from the prison. Paul requested Philemon to pray for his release from prison.
Application:
We are all sinners before a Holy God. We owed a debt of sin to God that we could never repay. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty of sin on our behalf to procure our freedom from sin. Jesus appealed to His Father to charge our debt of sin to His account. 2000 years ago, He paid our sin debt by dying on the cross to pay our penalty of sin for us.
Romans 6: 23, “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord’’.
2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”.
The epistle of Philemon is a story of forgiveness. According to Catholic tradition, Onesimus was freed from slavery, and became a bishop of Ephesus. Just as Philemon forgave Onesimus, Christ also forgave us. Even though we ran away from Christ, He restored us to fellowship when we came back to him in repentance. Our master, Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, mercy, grace, loving kindness, and faithfulness to us. Thank You for justification, sanctification, salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.