The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-06-09

GOLDEN TEXT-Be ye k1no one W en'
other. tenderhearted. forgiving each other
even as God also In Christ forgave you.--
Ephesians 4:32.
Brotherhood is one of those fine
qualities or impulses of the soul OF
which men like to speak when all Is
fair and prosperous, and promptly
forget in times of distress and strug-
gle. That is just where Christiani-
ty shows forth at its best, for 1t is
in the hour of need, sorrow, or affilc-
ton that real Christian brotherhood
shows its depth and durability.
Paul was in prison when he wrote
to Philemon. The one Of whom ne
wrote, Onesimus, was slave who
had deserted his master and proba-
bly, defrauded him (v.18). He had
been converted, and now was being
sent back to his master. So we
have three Christian men dealing
with very delicate matter, and pro-
viding us a picture of brotherhood in
action. We learn that it is
I. Courteous wv. 4-9).
After a fine spiritual salutation,
Paul enters upon an appeal to Phile-
mon which is a model Of tact and
courtesy. One could wish that those
who think that being faithful to the
Lord and true to His Word means
being blunt and unkind, would learn
of Paul.
First he let's Philemon know OF
his prayerful interest in him. Paul
had been praying for him, that's
why he could say such a helpful
word. Praying for our fellow man
prepares us for genuine brotherly
love.
Then he recognizes Philemon's
goodness, and his effective testimo-
ny for Christ. This is an excellent
approach to the making Of a re-
quest, but be sure that it was not
empty or hypocritical fiattery. We
do well to recognize the fine quail
ties of our Christian brother, and
we could profitably speak of them
more than we do.
Then Paul was ready to make his
request. See how nicely he does it.
He skillfully reminds Philemon that
he might make some demands, and
especially in view Of his age and
his Imprisonment. But he will not
do so, rather he says, 81 beseech
thee" There is fine Christian cour-
tesy.
III. Considerate wv. 10-16).
Paul, the aged prisoner, had found
in his new convert, Onesimus, real
helper. He would have liked to keep
him. In fact, says he to Philemon,
Onesimus could do for me the things
you would want to do If you were
here ". 1877.
Undoubtedly Paul could have been
sure of the willingness of Philemon.
He could have assumed that the re-
quest would be granted. And in any
case, Philemon did not even know
where Onesimus was, so why not
keep him?
True Christian consideration re-,
spects the personal rights and the
property rights of another. We must
not assume, or demand, or put pres
sure on anyone ". 14) to get what
they have or to draw out their serv-
ice. +
Another expression of considera-
ton is found in verses is and IS.
Philemon had lost a heather slave,
now he is receiving back a Chris
tan brother. No worker will give
less in service, and no master will
demand more, because the two are
both Christians. We need to recog-
nize that fact, for all too often men
presume on their relationship as
brethren. But the fact that they are
Christians should make a great diff
ference in their attitude toward one
another.
III. Cooperative wv. 17-2D.
Partners share the benefits and
the burdens of their joint enterprise.
Partners in the gospel, like Paul
and Philemon, shared not only spir-
itual blessings, but also the respon-
sibilities. Paul was presenting such
an item to Philemon in the return of
Onesimus. Something had to be
done about the debt of Onesimus,
his failure as servant. Paul says,
"Charge it to me, your partner"
It has been pointed out that there
is here a blessed example of the inn
portant doctrine of imputation, which
is the "act of God whereby He ac-
counts righteousness to the believer
in Christ" because He ''has borne
the believers sins in vindication of
the law" So we note that verses II
and IS perfectly illustrate imputa-
ton.
Paul's promise II will repay it,
". 19) was the legal phraseology of
a promissory note in his day. 1t
was bonafide partnership transac-
ton, yet it was coupled with a re-
minder of Indebtedness. Everything
Philemon had and was he owed to
Da,,1. h1It saws the latter ssT will