Philemon 18 "But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account."

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As A Practical Evidence Of Repentance, Restitution Needs To Be Made To The One Wronged.

In the case of Zacchaeus he demonstrated his repentance by the offer of fourfold restitution (Luke 19:8 ). This was what the law required of one who stole a sheep (Exodus 22:1 ). Did Zacchaeus come to this idea of repayment because he regarded the ones he had wronged as the Lord's sheep? (John 10:14 ). We must pay what is owed (Romans 13:7 ). By taking Zacchaeus's maximum restitution when the Lord's people have been wronged, will do much more in the interest of fully restored relationship, especially when willingly done with the heart.

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Paul Wanted To Leave No Obstacle In The Way, That Would Hinder Reconciliation.

The Lord taught that being reconciled to our brother was a matter of first priority.

Matthew 5:24 "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

The Lord gave specific guidelines for the restoration of harmony.

Matthew 18:15 ""Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother."

Reconciliation begins and should end with personally reaching out to the offender. Only if there is refusal to hear should anyone else be told or become involved (Matthew 18:16-17 ). Regrettably more often than not everyone is approached except the offender, and reconciliation thwarted.

When believers practice the Lord's priority and properly seek out the offender in the spirit of reconciliation will we witness healing and harmony. Would there be a loss of finances to support the local Church if leadership charged the congregation not to contribute to the offering until they had first been reconciled to an offending brother or sister? Surely obedience could only result in greater blessing!

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Paul Removed The Barrier To Reconciliation Between Philemon And Onesimus By Acting As Surety.

Philemon 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 takes Onesimus's account on himself and signs as guarantee of that. He wants the best for his spiritual son and is prepared to pay the price. What a challenging picture of New Testament leadership this is. May the love of Jesus so abound in us.

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In The Action Of Paul We Are Given A Glimpse Of Jesus Our Surety.

Hebrews 7:22 "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament."

	As our SUBSTITUTE Jesus took our place, dying instead of us (1 Peter 1:18,19 ).
	As our PRICE OF REDEMPTION Jesus gave Himself for us (Titus 2:14 ).
	As our GUARANTOR He lives forever as our great High Priest guaranteeing the results of the new covenant in our experience.

"Surety" is the Greek word 'enguos'. It means guarantee and is only used once in the New Testament (Hebrews 7:22 ). Our confidence in attaining all that God intends for us, is based on our Guarantor the Lord Jesus, who in His permanent Priestly office is continually interceding for us.

Romans 8:34 "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

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Paul Wrote His Own Guarantee In His Own Handwriting Making His Promise Legal And Binding.

Philemon 19 "I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay ..."

Paul was Godlike in his dealings with others. When he gave his word he bound himself to fulfill what he had promised.

	Our God confirms His promises by an oath (Hebrews 6:13-20 ).
	Our God never forgets His promises to us. He remembered what He promised Abraham, and that is recorded for our assurance (Psalm 105:42 ).
	Our God is faithful to what He has promised (1 Thessalonians 5:24; Hebrews 10:23 ).
	Our God has given to us many promises meeting all our need (2 Peter 1:4 ).
	Our God fulfills all His promises in Christ our Guarantor.

2 Corinthians 1:20 "For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, ..."

Let us see to it that we do not fall short of any of God's promises (Hebrews 4:1 ).

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In Standing As Guarantor For Onesimus Paul Reminds Philemon Of His Greater Indebtedness (Philemon 19).

This is not an attempt to avoid paying Philemon anything - rather it is to remind Philemon of the pardon he himself received because Paul had faithfully shared the gospel with him. Reminded that he was a sharer in abundant grace he would be gracious to Onesimus and generous towards Paul, Onesimus's surety. In recipients of grace there is the expectation of the outflow of grace from their lives A sense of indebtedness to those who have faithfully ministered to us will motivate us to sacrificially serve others.

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Paul Expected That The Response To His Appeal Would Bring Him Joy And Refreshment.

Philemon 20 "Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord."

"Yes" expresses Paul's fervent longing for affirmative action from Philemon. He expects an echoing "yes" in Philemon's heart that will be fleshed out in full compliance with his request. Their true brotherhood would be shown in their united "yes".

Philippians 2:1-2 "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."

We should be distinguished as the "yes" people in the sense of affirmation of the faith and practicing what we believe. "Joy" from Philemon was the return Paul expected from his investment in Philemon's life. As a brother in Paul's ministry Philemon was now able to contribute some benefit in receiving back Onesimus, as a brother in the family of God.

"Refresh my heart" - Philemon who was known for refreshing the saints (Philemon 7 ) now had an opportunity to bring refreshment to the apostle Paul. When leaders witness the believers ready obedience to the Lord, it has a reviving, invigorating effect on them. They are refreshed because the obedience evidences what God has done in them, not something they have done by themselves. It is the work of God that inspires leaders' hearts. Are we so allowing God to work in us the doing of His good pleasure that we fire leaders with new zeal and energy?

"In the Lord" - our actions are to be in the Lord's interest, not self-interest, and with the Lord's enablement, making possible what otherwise could not be done.

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

With the Lord strengthening us it is possible even, to show grace to one who had wronged us.

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Paul Did Not Doubt Philemon's Willingness To Take The Right Action, Nor His Own Ability As Guarantor.

Philemon 21 "Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say."

	Confidence in someone does not remove the responsibility of fully discussing the issues (Philemon 10-20 ).
	Confidence is based on relationship that with the Lord Jesus being the most important (John 13:13-15 ).
	Confidence implies a recognition of the spiritual maturity of the one relied on. (Hebrews 5:14 ).
	Confidence in a person leaves them with the opportunity to do more than is actually required.
	Confidence in people grows out of our own knowledge of God's faithfulness (Psalm 33:11 NIV).
	Confidence in fulfilling personal commitment comes through reliance on God (Proverbs 3:1-8 ).

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Why did Paul offer to pay Onesimus's debt? (Philemon 18 ).
2. What does it mean to have Jesus as our surety? (Philemon 19; Hebrews 7:22 ).
3. What kind of a response did Paul expect from Philemon? (Philemon 20-21 ).