Lesson for the Lord’s Day
If he hath wronged thee or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account. Philemon 18
Was there any doubt that Onesimus had wronged his master Philemon or that he owed him a debt? No, Paul’s use of the word ‘if’ does not indicate there was any question of Onesimus’ wrongdoing. Onesimus had confessed to Paul all about his running away from his master and his theft of goods or money as he made his escape. What Paul is saying here is whatever wrong Onesimus has done and whatever amount he stole from you, charge it to my account. Today’s text is one of the most touching appeals in the Bible, as Paul figuratively steps in between Onesimus and Philemon to accept the full responsibility for the wrongs done by the slave. It is the more touching when we see in it the appeal made by the Lord Jesus for us, to take the mighty burden of our wrath-deserving sin on Himself.
Paul’s love and compassion for Onesimus caused him to write our text as part of his letter to Philemon. And he gave that letter to Onesimus to take to Philemon in Colosse. What would have happened if Onesimus had not taken that letter to Philemon? He would never have known whether Philemon had forgiven him. He would be like a sinner hearing the Gospel and never responding to it. But Onesimus did take that letter to his old master. And Philemon did forgive and receive him. We know that because we have the very letter preserved in our Bible. We know that we are forgiven because the Bible confirms for us that those who believe in the Son should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Onesimus had wronged Philemon. And we have wronged God. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way (Isaiah 53:6). Just like our first parents in Eden, we have exercised our free will to rebel and disobey. We are sinners, not only because we were born the sons and daughters of sinners but also because we have all sinned (Romans 5:12). That is why we rejoice to acknowledge that the Lord Jesus took the punishment of our wrong upon Himself. And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).
Revelation 20 tells of a day when the books will be opened, and the dead will all stand in judgment according to what is written in those books. We must in faithfulness warn sinners about that day, because it will usher in the final stage of existence for the damned, called the second death. But our appreciation today is for the other book that will be opened, the Lamb’s Book of Life. All of the redeemed in Christ will be written in that book. And those who are written in that book are forever exempt from the second death. That book is made possible only because God put on His own Son the penalty for our sins. As our text declares, He placed our wrong and our debt on Christ’s account.
He was made sin for us, Who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). – Jim MacIntosh