The Omaha guide., 1946-12-14

o0C0
a slave boy at a time when slavery
was accepted as right, but i
stated principles Of Christian con
slderatlon and brotherly love which
were eventually to overthrow slav
cry. 1t is still at work today wher
and where we let it:
This letter, written by Paul ano
YET by the Holy Spirit, personal ano
yet eternal and spiritual in its ap-
pilcation, is a model of letter writ.
ing, and equally a model of Chris.
iian Brotherhood. It one
Oneslmus, a slave who had desert.
ed his master and probably defraud-
ed him ". 49,. He had been con-
verted and now was being sent back
to his master.
1t Might Be Bold-Yet 1 Rath-
er Beseech Thee" wv. 40.
After a fine spiritual salutatior
wv. 1-3), Paul enters upon an ap-
peal to Philemon which is q model
OF tact and courtesy.
First he lets Philemon know Of
MS prayerful interest in him. Paul
1ao been praying for him, that's
Why he could say such a helpful
word.
Then he recognizes Philemon's
goodness and his effective testimony
or Christ. This was an excellent
approach to the making of a re
quest, and be sure that it was MOI
empty or ~hypocritical fattery. We
10 well to recognize the fine quail
les of u Christian brother, and
We could profitably speak of them
more than we dc.
Then Paul was ready to make his
-equest. See how nicely he does it.
He skillfully reminds Philemon that
ne (PauD might make some de-
mands, and especially in view of his
age and his Imprisonment. But he
will not do SO; rather he says, IL
leseech thee"
II. without Thy Mind 1 Would
Do Nothing wv. 1910.
Paul, the aged prisoner, had found
in his new convert, Onesimus, a real
helper. He would have liked to keep
him. In fact, says he to Phile-
mon, Onesimus could do for me the
things you would want to do if you
were here ". 49,.
Paul could have felt sure Of the
willingness of Philemon. He could
have assumed that the request
would be granted. And in any case,
Philemon did not even know where
Onesimus was, so why not keep
him? He did not reason thus.
True Christian consideration re-
spects the personal rights and the
property rights of another. We must
not assume, or demand, or put
pressure on anyone ". 14) to get
what they have or to draw out their
service.
Another expression of considera-
ton is found in verses Is and 16.
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 both are
Christians.
Now Paul touches on one Of the
finest elements involved in Christian
brotherhood, namely, cooperation.
We are to live and labor together
for a common cause. Pleading for
his friend and brother. the young
slave Onesimus, he says:
LII. "H Thou Count Me a Partner,
Receive Him" (vv. 17-21).
Partners share the benefits ard
the burdens Of their joint enter
prise. Partners in the gospel. like
Paul and Philemon. shared not emily
spiritual blessings. but also the re-
sponsibiities. Paul was presenting
such an item to Philemon in the re-
turn Of Onesimus. Something had
to be done about the debt Of Onesi-
mus, his failure as a servant. Paul
says. Charge it to me. your part
1t has been pointed out that there
IS here a blessed example Of the
doctrine Of imputation,
which is the "act Of God whereby
ne accounts righteousness to the
believer in Christ" because he has
borne the believers sins in vindi-
cation of the law" So we note that
verses II and Is perfectly illustrate
.mputation.
Paul's promise. 81 will repay it"
19), was the legal ph~raseology
a promissory note in his day.
It was a bonaide partnership trans
action, yet it was coupled with a re-
hinder Of indebtedness. Everything
Philemon had and was he owed to
Paul; but. says the latter, Il will
not speak of that now"
No right-thinking person is con
ent always to be on the receiving
md. The humblest recipient Of "a
yor or the smallest child who feels
he love Of another wants to respond
The c~onsiderate friend viii. there
ore. not always insist on giving. but
vii graG ously dixie Paul. open the
way for cooperation, for partner,
SoSSSSG
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