A Friendly Reminder
Introduction
Close friends are a rare in today’s world. Unfortunately many relationships are built on partnerships for self gain. I think this is evident by the divorce rate in America. The abortion rate alarms us. A true friend will lead us to make solid, sound, godly decisions. This is exactly what Paul is encouraging Philemon to do. Notice how Paul encourages Philemon.
I. How He Signed His Promise, vs. 19.
A. The Pledge Paul Made, vs. 19.
I Paul have written it with mine own hand… vs. 19.
Why would Paul say such a thing? Why was it important who penned the letter? Were the thoughts not those of Paul? This was a statement of pledge. It's like you or I signing a note at a bank. Paul is literally telling Philemon, “I'll sign for Onesimus; put all of his debt to my account.” Oh! How much this is like our Lord! “Jesus paid it all…all to Him I owe…” Listen! Jesus promised to pay our sin debt and we can believe Him and trust Him to do just that!
Not only do we see the pledge Paul made but also the payment Paul made.
B. The Payment Paul Made, vs. 19.
…I will repay it… vs. 19.
The word “it” is the same word as that used in verse 18. The word “it” refers to whatever wrong he had committed. It is in the future active indicative in the Greek and it means “without a doubt” Paul himself will settle Onesimus' account.
Can I give you some great news? Someday Christ will settle our accounts! While we now live with the memory of our past sins and failures, and while we have indeed been forgiven; one day we'll also forget them! Listen! Christ isn't busy settling our account. He's already done it! The debt that Onesimus owed was settled the moment Paul penned that he would be responsible for it, but Onesimus would not understand or grasp the full impact of what that meant until he got home.
Not only do we see how he signed it but also how he said it.
II. How He Said It, vs. 19.
A. He Said It Delicately, vs. 19.
…albeit I do not say to thee how… vs. 19.
It seems that Paul is saying what he didn’t actually say. This verse says, “I'm not saying this to obligate you but rather to lovingly remind you.” It's an idiom. It has a meaning different from the literal. Here's the crux of the matter; “I'm going to pay a debt for Onesimus that he can't pay for himself.
Remember how Christ did that for you when I led you to Christ?”
We not only see that he said it delicately but also he said it dogmatically.
B. He Said It Dogmatically, vs. 19.
…I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides., vs. 19.
I thank God for Christian witnesses today! So many people would be hell-bound if it were not for those who witness and share their faith with the lost. Paul is telling Philemon in no uncertain terms that if it wasn't for Christ forgiveness in our lives we'd all be hell-bound. “Look Philemon, somebody had to give us that choice. I gave it to you and you need to give it to Onesimus.”
Jack Kinkaid gave that choice to Carol and to me. Now we must give that choice to somebody else. As we have flowed through the Book of Philemon verse-by-verse we've noticed the theme of somebody paying someone’s debt. We've noticed somebody forgiving someone else’s sins. This book has painted a picture of Jesus. Can you see Him?