In the letter, Paul took the role of surety in the life of Onesimus.
A surety is a person who promises to take responsibility for the debt obligation of another.
So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.
Philemon 1:17-18 (ESV)
Making this promise, Paul demonstrates the power of the gospel in two ways.
First Paul gives us a living picture of the grace of the gospel.
Just as Paul graciously took on the debt of Onesimus, Jesus stands for every guilty sinner who trusts their lives to him. He stands at the right hand of the father, pleading on our behalf, “Charge that to my account.”
When we carry the reminder of our sin like a pebble in our shoe, Jesus reminds us that he has taken up that debt on our behalf.
Secondly, Paul gives us an example of how that grace transforms our relationships.
Some of us have been wronged and Jesus calls us to remember that we too have been in the wrong. And he calls us to remember that Jesus has also died for the one who has wronged us, whispering in our ears, “charge it to my account.”
Some of us have the opportunity to step in on behalf of others, like senator Al Quie who offered to go to prison on behalf of Charles Colson.
Whether our own debts or the debts of others show up in our lives, I pray that these words echo in your mind for life, “Charge that to my account.”
Tom Brown is the planting pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Wichita. Tom and his wife, Mandy, have worked together in ministry for over 20 years and have four children. More about Pastor Tom Brown