¹⁷ So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸ If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.

Philemon vss 17-18

Paul was one of the most prolific writers among the early followers of Jesus. Thirteen of the letters included in our New Testament come to us under Paul’s name and influence. The early church considered Paul’s words to churches and church leaders to be scripture – the very Word of God. In wondering what God might say to us in our time, I have been reading the closing remarks in some of Paul’s letters.

Where lots of Paul’s letters were addressed to churches and groups of Christians, there is a smaller group of letters known as the “Pastoral Epistles.” In “the Pastorals” we find Paul, the pastor/mentor writing to ministry companions.

Philemon is an interesting pastoral letter. It is laid out in the Bible as a single chapter. It is easy to flip right past in the New Testament because it often is contained on a single page. But it is well worth the five minutes it would take to read. The book of Philemon is a personal note that is also addressed to a group of people in a home church. It talks about an escaped slave who should now be seen as a brother in Christ. And it shows how Paul, an influential figure in the faith, asks for a graceful favor from another follower of Jesus.

¹⁷ So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸ If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.

Those of us who have experienced God’s grace often find ourselves offering grace to others. And those of us who hope for graceful actions in our world, sometimes have to prime the pump.

Is there someone in your life who needs a little help to get grace-filled and gracious treatment from someone else? Maybe you can call in a little favor to help bridge the gap or mend the divide.

Prayer

God, put me where I need to be today to help Your grace become a living reality in the lives of people around me. Thanks for filling my grace bank to the point of overflowing with all that you have done for me in Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, in whose name I pray. Amen.