Devotional Sharing, Submitted by Sunny Kim, Gracepoint Berkeley
I think Apostle Paul’s offer to charge himself with any debt that Onesimus may have incurred demonstrates how he understands the nature of relationships very well and particularly, how esp. money can add burden to it, esp. in a tightly knit community like a church or a family. I remember growing up many of my own parents’ friends were no longer our friends because of some financial transaction that went bad or an incident that was never apologized for or owned up to. Thus, in answer to the 2nd question, I think not only does money add burden to a relationship, but also when I look at my own life, it can be my moodiness, my unwillingness to quickly apologize for a wrong, not fully owning up to a situation when I should - all of these responses can burden and add unnecessary strain to my relationships. So, what I can do about it? I can not be like that. Plain and simple. I can be a lot more self-control over my own emotions, quickly apologize when I should and own up fully to my actions even if it’s humiliating.
I was also thinking what else burdens/strains relationships and thought when I have some words of truth to speak to someone, but keep deliberating and never end up doing so because of my fear of how that person would react. The reality that there are unspoken words of truth that need to be told in a relationship, but never do, naturally adds strain and distance. So, what can I do about it? I can speak those words out of love for that person if that will help that person in the end. I realize that I need to become more and more of a person who values truth above all else and not listen to my own emotions of fear and caution.
Devotional Sharing, Submitted by Sharon Kim, Gracepoint Berkeley
In these verses Apostle Paul appeals to Philemon to welcome Onesimus, a runaway slave who has clearly wronged his owner by running away. Philemon experienced great financial loss, moral outrage and frustration due to this runaway slave and it was in his power to treat this runaway slave in any way he saw fit. As a runaway slave who’s coming back to the owner, Onesimus could have experienced more imprisonment, beating, mistreatment and severe punishment. However, Apostle Paul gives his backing for this runaway slave and says “…welcome him…charge it to me.” Apostle Paul says he’s my “son,” “my very heart,” and a “dear brother.”
There is something very familiar about Apostle Paul’s voice that stirs my heart and it’s the same kind of tone, texture and message that I hear from Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Like Onesimus, I too am a runaway slave. Chasing after the worthless things of the world, I too had rebelled against God and ran away following the cravings after my heart. But no matter how many times I have ran away and have become utterly worthless, through Apostle Paul’s voice of “…welcome him…charge it to me…,” I hear Jesus’ voice that tells me “come and eat…this is my body broken for you…come and drink, this is the cup of a new covenant in my blood…I have paid for all your sins.”
I think about what must have been on Onesimus’ mind as he went back to his owner as a runaway slave but now, with Apostle Paul’s letter in his hand. Because of the gospel, Philemon became not just his owner, but a brother in Christ. A worthless runaway slave has become a precious son, a dear brother to people like Apostle Paul and Philemon because of the gospel, and it must have been a brand new reality that was difficult for Onesimus to embrace without tearing up, wondering in amazement what has happened to him. All he did was disregard all moral obligations, follow his cravings and instincts of his flesh and run away. And yet some how, he received the gospel and was raised to a status far higher than he could have ever secured for himself.
Some how, this same gospel has reached me as well and I’m really grateful that just as Onesimus became a recipient of such love and forgivenss, I too have become a precious daughter and a dear sister in Christ. And as it must have been for Onesimus, I want to have a heart that cannot speak about the gospel without tearing up and wondering in amazement what kind of amazing thing has happened in my life. With the new semester approaching, I hope to have the same kind of voice of love to many new students who will be coming to campus and I pray that some how, they will also be able to recognize the voice of our Heavenly Father just as we have come to recognize His voice.
Devotion Questions:
“Again, Paul… makes his request as a partner and laces it with accounting terminology: “if he owes,” “charge it to me,” “I will pay.” Paul tries to forestall any possible unwillingness to receiving Onesimus back with open arms by incurring a debt of honor to make restitution for any wrong committed by Onesimus. This sweeping pledge is more than a rhetorical appeal “merely for the sake of argument.” Although Paul states the matter hypothetically, “if he has done you any wrong,” it is hypothetical “only in form.” Paul knows very well that Onesimus has wronged his master and may perhaps owe him a considerable sum of money.”[1]
- What does Apostle Paul’s offer reveal about the effect of outstanding wrongs or issues to burden and strain relationships and reconciliation?
- What outstanding wrongs and issues do I have that burden or strain my relationships? What can I do about this today?
[1] Garland, David E. NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: Colossians and Philemon. 315-325. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1998.
Commentary:
v.18 It is one of the laws of life that someone has to pay the price of sin. God can and does forgive, but not even he can free a man from the consequences of what he has done. It is the glory of the Christian faith that, just as Jesus Christ shouldered the sins of all men, so there are those who in love are prepared to help pay for the consequences of the sins of those who are dear to them. Christianity never entitled a man to default on his debts. Onesimus must have stolen from Philemon, as well as run away from him. If he had not helped himself to Philemon’s money, it is difficult to see how he could ever have covered the long road to Rome. Paul writes with his own hand that he will be responsible and will repay in full.[1]
[1]The letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. 2000, c1975 (W. Barclay, lecturer in the University of Glasgow, Ed.). The Daily Study Bible series, Rev. ed. (Phm 25). Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.
Devotional Sharing, Submitted by James Lee
• What does Apostle Paul’s offer reveal about the effect of outstanding wrongs or issues to burden and strain relationships and reconciliation?
Apostle Paul really wants Philemon to accept Onesimus as a brother in Christ and doesn’t want any problems to be rooted in their relationship in the beginning. To prevent that Paul wants to take the blame away from their relationship, so that they can have a fresh start in building a strong fellowship.
• What outstanding wrongs and issues do I have that burden or strain my relationships? What can I do about this today?
I used have a lot of problems with money. If someone borrowed some, I couldn’t really have fun with them or be cheerful around them knowing that they owed me money. Things like this would be stored in my heart and I would never learn to love them until they paid me back to the full amount. If they were short by a dollar, then I would be too shameful to say anything, but have this malice in my heart saying “its the principle, he should pay back fully what he has paid.” Instead of just owning up and saying that outloud or even forgetting about it, I’d just hold a grudge, and no real relationship could come from it. But I think being around people who can be so generous has shown me, how to deal with these kinds of things, and the only way to get better or improve is by being generous myself. One trick that I used to deal with it was an idea I derived from what David Liu said once. He wanted to treat a friend out to dinner, but the friend refused. So David says something along the lines of “Hey, I’m either going to throw this money in the trash or you can use it buy dinner, your choice.” It was so hilarious, but it reminded me about situations when I did lose money on accidents. I realized I felt more horrible when I spent money on other than when I lost money. I felt “oh man, i could’ve spent that money on something nice for myself,” but when I lost money I simply felt “oh darn, i’ll just try to be careful, oh well, it was that much money.” It was a sad look into my heart, but something that was there. So I tried thinking of that situation when I try to be generous, “hey i could’ve lost this money, but instead I’m spending it for others.” I think over time, i’ve grown to just enjoy spending for others as they show so much appreciation. But as last thursday’s dt was about pride. And at times I wonder if I’m being too proud when I spend money and if my pride is growing, if i’m merely spending for appreciation, if i’m doing it for acceptance, if i’m doing it to feel good from other people. It reminds of one of the staff’s bible study when they mention the story of fasting. It was about how you shouldn’t show despair when you’re fasting, but look happy so that others don’t know you’re fasting, but God knows, so he delights in that more. It reminds me that I need to be generous without acceptance from people, but more from God by being anonymous. I don’t know why, but I’m remembering random things today, I guess because it is the last day of summer in Austin before I go back. When we were studying Proverbs with Maurice, he talked about how things are contradictory in Proverbs. How at one point it says the foolish talks a lot, and at another point it says the wise give instructions. Maurice thought that showed the complexity of life, and that complexity is shown even in my small act of trying to get away from my sin of greed and pride. It’s so hard to be perfect, and it’s just another reminder of how thankful I am of God’s grace.